Howard Drewes, who has a legacy of public service to Fanwood as a retired police officer, fireman, and Office of Emergency Management Coordinator during, passed away Saturday night, June 1, at the Center for Hope Hospice. He was 68.
In his role as OEM coordinator, Howard played a critical role in helping to manage the Borough’s response to Hurricane Sandy in 2012 by coordinating police, fire, EMS, utilities, Red Cross, and Public Works responses before and after the storm.
He was the father of Fanwood Rescue Squad and Fire Department member Jim Drewes and the son-in-law of Rescue Squad life member Jim Russell. Jim Drewes is also a police officer, rescue squad and fire department member.
Howard, Jim Russell and Jim Drewes were all in service during the 2004 President’s Day house fire that destroyed a home on North Avenue with Howard coordinating the efforts of the fire department with the police and rescue squad. It took firefighters from Fanwood and three other communities five hours to contain the fire.
“Being Emergency Management Coordinator in Fanwood is easy because everyone knows what to do,” Howard said at the time. “It’s not like some bigger towns where there can be a lot of confusion among the various responders.”
“On behalf of the borough and its residents, I want to extend a heartfelt sincere condolence in the passing of a true public servant, Howard Drewes. Howard and I worked so closely to get our town through Superstorm Sandy and from that a true appreciation of his skills and dedication to the public was seen. By all accounts, he lived a life where family was first, and I will remember him always with a smile and the ability to have an easy conversation no matter what the topic,” Mayor Colleen Mahr said.
“(Howard) wore many hats. Police officer, rising to the rank of Detective Sergeant; volunteer firefighter, rising to the rank of Lieutenant and after all that, took over as OEM Coordinator,” OEM Coordinator and Fire Chief John Piccola said.
“Even after Howard retired from the police department and stepped back from the fire department, he was always part of any big emergency operation in the Borough. From chasing resources to getting water for the fire members, nothing was more important to Howard than helping others! Except for his family! He was a true gentleman and will be missed,” Chief Piccola said.
Howard was one of the driving forces of the Fanwood Fire Company’s 100th anniversary celebration in 1990.
Howard is survived by his wife, Sally; his son, James, a Sergeant with the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Daughter-in-Law Melissa and grandsons Russell and Peter; his daughter, Amy DeCicco, and Son-In-Law Chris. Howard’s children live in Fanwood.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 6, from 3 pm to 8 pm at Memorial Funeral Home, 155 South Ave., Fanwood. A memorial service will be Friday, June 7, at 10 am. at Fanwood Presbyterian Church, 74 South Martine Ave., Fanwood.
