Andrew Drago, 86, of Brookings, passed peacefully on Sept. 20, 2011, at a local care facility of natural causes. His family was by his side.

He was born April 9, 1925, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Albert and Grace Drago. He had two brothers and one sister. He attended Sewhanaka High School, where he met his future wife, Beatrice Eldert.

Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy in January 1943, serving in the South Pacific during World War II. After his discharge from the service in December 1945, he renewed his acquaintance with Beatrice, and married her in August 1947. They were married for 61 years and raised five children together. 

They lived in Santa Monica, Calif., for more than 40 years, where he worked first as an office manager at Servisoft, and later as a “handyman to the stars.”

Besides his family, he loved working in community theater. He was a founding member of the Santa Monica Theater Guild (later renamed the Morgan-Wixon Theater). He worked on many shows, from directing to building sets, occasionally even acting. 

In 1987, Andy and Beatrice moved to Brookings to spend their retirement years. There he was a founding member of the Chetco Pelican Players. He served on the board of Friends of Music and was stage manager for 27 years. He was also involved with the Brookings-Harbor Community Theater.

Survivors include his brother James and wife Bea of New York; sister Angie and partner Lynn Vance of Colorado; son Philip and wife Lupe of Lancaster, Calif.; son Edward and wife Charmaine of Lancaster; son Lawrence and partner Sammy Courtnage of Aurora, Colo.; daughter Carolyn and partner Mark Newhouse of Brookings; and daughter Marion and husband George Plato of Hollywood, Calif. Also surviving are seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Beatrice.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, at the Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 820 Old County Road, Brookings.

Submitted by the family.