Nov. 6, 1930 -- April 9, 2006

Patrick A. Draves of Kenmore, a retired health teacher and Korean War Army veteran, died April 9 in Heathwood Health Care Center, Amherst, after a long illness. He was 75.  Born in Dunkirk, Mr. Draves graduated from Brockport State College.  In 1952, he enlisted in the Army and was sent to Korea. When he was discharged in 1953, he married Barbara McClure. She died in 1995.
Hired as a teacher for the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District, he taught health at Kenmore West High School for more than 30 years and served as cross country and swimming coach.  During summers, Mr. Draves, who was certified by the Red Cross in lifesaving training, worked as a supervisor at Town of Tonawanda swimming pools.  He was a member of the Western New York Swimming Officials and Western New York Track and Field Association. He also was an official for the Empire Games and a founding member of Finish Line Service, which was involved in many local races, such as the annual Turkey Trot, Kenmore Mercy Hospital 5K Run and the Buffalo Marathon.
Survivors include two sons, Jeffrey of Oneida and David of Kenmore; two daughters, Nancy Vallone of Buffalo and Laura Hayes of the Town of Tonawanda; two sisters, Patricia Carlson of Dunkirk and Natalie Feightner of Kenmore; and 10 grandchildren.
A memorial Mass will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Friday in St. Andrew Catholic Church, 1525 Sheridan Drive, Town of Tonawanda. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Town of Tonawanda.