STOPPING TO HELP - Remembering a Good Samaritan

STOPPING TO HELP - Remembering a Good Samaritan

By Vicky Lewis

Frank Drew, 74, of Markham was murdered on January 6, 2021, shot to death on Route 55 near the railroad tracks in Rectortown after he pulled over to assist the driver of a wrecked car. The driver, who later committed suicide, was being sought by police for the murder of his father hours earlier.

Good Samaritan Drew was an expert woodworker and wine aficionado and a trained EMT. He had many friends who recently gathered in Rectortown to dedicate a memorial bench in his name. Many came to the service because they viewed his action of stopping to help as representative of the values of this enchanting community.

It was a cold raw day, yet locals Roxanne Willis, Elsa Rosenthal, Shirley Embrey, Feroline Higginson, Lydia Strohl, Matt Calligan, Cynthia Darlington and Heather Parker gathered. Several members of Rectortown Mt. Olive Baptist Church and the United Methodist Church (UMC) also were on hand and the new UMC pastor, Jonathan Lamb, sent a prayer that was read.

Add Frank's old friends and neighbors like Bill Green of Markham, who knew him for 30-40 years, and Jonathan Weber, a wine mentor from Linden Vineyards, shared some memories.

Friends and family of Frank Drew gathered recently to dedicate a memorial bench in his name in Rectortown.

Photo by Jeb Hannum

Jeff Farley of Crenshaw Road volunteered to form a committee for the project.

Jeb Hannum of Lost Corner Road and Vicky Lewis on Maidstone Road joined Jeff to find the proper location in Rectortown, design the memorial bench, and coordinate fabrication with several local craftspeople and Frank’s friends and family.

The Embrey family of Marshall and Rectortown have graciously given permission for the placement of the memorial at the Rectortown Depot. Randy Embrey knew Frank and had many memories of their time working together as local volunteer EMTs.

Frank’s brother, Chris Drew, and the ever-eloquent John Sherman of Paris wrote the kind words used for the memorial plaque. John was a close friend and former owner of the Ashby Inn in Paris where Frank was the sommelier. Eli Lewis of Maidstone Road provided the graphic design and layout for the plaque while its fabrication was handled by Shane’s Signs in Haymarket.

Lewis Whitesell of Middleburg, a local master stone mason, donated time, machinery and labor to install the salvaged sandstone base for the bench. Martin Robinson of Upperville shared a woodworking shop with Frank and volunteered to help with the timber seat coordination. His co-worker, Michael Reid, a fine woodworker in Charles Town, oversaw the preservative treatments and installation of the 100-year-old oak timber seat.

Jeff and Laura Symanski from Rectortown United Methodist fabricated the mounting stainless-steel brackets at their Marshall business CT&D. Andy Lewis, a Middleburg architect, provided hardware and guidance throughout the process. Eddie Payne knew Frank from their days as EMTs and provided the tons of gravel with his Marshall trucking business. Finally, many Rectortown neighbors, church groups and vineyard friends and family have generously donated to the Frank Drew Memorial Fund to support the expenses of materials, surveying and other services.