Frederick A. Struve III

Frederick A. Struve III died peacefully on December 22, 2012 at Connecticut Hospice in Branford, Conn., after staying more than a few steps ahead of his cancer for eight good years. Born May 6, 1937, son of the late Frederick Struve II and the late Mary Slack, Fred grew up in Princeton, and lived for many years in New York, Virginia, and Shreveport, La. before moving to Guilford, Conn., in 2003.

He is survived by his beloved wife Eva, his son Doug Struve, his daughter Jody Struve and wife Erinn Auletta, Eva’s children Andrea Lacroix and husband Fred, Naomi Zauderer and husband Steve Choi, Wendy Holsinger and husband Tony, his sister Virginia Enourato and husband Frank, his niece Christy Morrison and husband Joseph Ryan, his grandchildren Sean, Henry, and Celia, Eva’s grandchildren Anna, Mathew, Emily, and Tommy and his grandnephews Joseph and John.

Fred’s early love of
science, music, and the natural world stayed with him his 75 years, bringing him much joy professionally and personally.

After earning a PhD in clinical psychology from Northwestern University, Fred pursued a career as a research scientist in the field of electroencephalography, studying under esteemed mentor and neurology pioneer Frederic Gibbs, MD. Before his most recent position as senior research scientist at Yale University school of medicine, Fred was a full professor of psychiatry and director of neurophysiology research laboratories at Louisiana State University school of medicine in Shreveport where he was recruited to develop the neurophysiology lab. During his distinguished career, Fred produced 120 scientific publications and 11 invited book chapters.

Fred was never far from a musical instrument, whether playing one himself, enjoying tunes at a jazz club or listening to a cherished album with his wife at home. He played clarinet with junior high friends in Edgehill 5 and while still in high school, sat in often with John Harbison’s Nassau Jazz Band. Later in life, he discovered his true calling as a trumpet and flugelhorn player and formed the No Compromise Authentic Jazz Quartet, which played in the Shreveport, La. area for many years.

Fred was an active member of the Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society and enjoyed great fellowship as a member of the Sunday Services Committee and the Writers Group. He particularly enjoyed delivering occasional lay sermons drawing attention to the loss of both human and animal life through capital punishment or disregard for the environment.

Whether he was sailing on Long Island Sound, searching the night skies with his telescope, walking his Newfoundland, Monk, or Great Pyrenees, JJ, or enjoying a favorite plate of spaghetti and a good beer with his much-loved family, Fred approached each endeavor with an ever-curious mind and a jolly passion that will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Fred had recently finished a collection of creative essays, “Observations from a Child of the Trilobites,” which will be published posthumously.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 12, 2 p.m., at the Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society in Madison, Conn. Remembrances can be made to the Sea Shepard Conservation Society (360-370-5650, www.seashepherd.org).

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Joseph J. Drabek

Joseph J. Drabek passed away peacefully at the Princeton Medical Center on Christmas Day, December 25, 2012. With his wife Marie, he was a long-time resident of Princeton and raised his children here.

Well-known and beloved in the community for his good humor and generous outgoing spirit, he had many friends and was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church and Saint Paul’s Catholic Church. In recent years he was a regular visitor to the Patterson Senior Center.

Born May 20, 1924 in Cicero, Illinois to John and Anna Drabek, Joe graduated from high school there where he was an avid soccer player and equestrian. Earning business degrees from the University of Illinois and an MBA from the University of Chicago, he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha. He served in the Canary Islands in World War II, trained as a fighter pilot and cryptographer, and was honorably discharged. He married Marie Brady in Chicago in 1950 and they were married for 46 years, until her death in 1997. He worked as a marketing executive for Continental Can/American Can Company for 25 years and later for Paul Flum Ideas of St. Louis, Mo., retiring in 1985.

Joe was a devoted husband, father, and mentor. Sometimes known as “Big D” or “JJ,” he will be missed dearly by his friends and family. He had a passion for tennis and for grand opera. He loved his dogs and he loved horses. In retirement he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and watching TV and western films.

He is survived by his sister Mary Ann Wagner of Fredericksburg, Tex., children, Jaime Drabek (Belinda) of McAllen Tex., Suzanne Drabek of Princeton, Jonathan Drabek (Stephanie) of St. Augustine Fla.; his grandchildren Taylor and Grant Drabek of Harlingen, Tex., and Matthew and Connor Drabek of St. Augustine Fla.

There will be a funeral service on January 5, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Kimble Funeral Home, One Hamilton Avenue in Princeton. Burial in Princeton Cemetery in the family plot will follow. The family requests privacy after the burial.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Extend condolences at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.