John Paul Drag, Sr.

John P. Drag, Sr., a longtime Fort Lauderdale resident and Broward County educator, succumbed to pancreatic cancer on October 17, 2014. John was born on April 27, 1939 in Chicago, Illinois. He was one of three children and the only son of John and Jean Drag. He moved early in his life with his mom and two sisters to Fort Lauderdale where he grew up and attended Fort Lauderdale High School (Class of 1957). He joined the navy and served on the destroyer, USS Harlan R. Dickson (DD 708). He fell hopelessly in love with Ann W. Seabrook and they married May 6, 1961. After travelling the world, he settled with Ann in East Chicago, Indiana. There he spliced cable in the employ of Inland Steel during the day and he studied at night, earning his degree in education. Son, John, Jr. (1962) and daughter, Linda (1963) were born to John and Ann and in 1968, the family decided to move to Fort Lauderdale where John began a thirty-five year career as an educator with Broward County School. John taught at the old Fort Lauderdale High School site (downtown on the Landmark Bank Building site) and Eastside Elementary School (Virginia Schuman Young). In addition to his full time teaching responsibilities, he also worked with students through a tutoring service (Mr. William Laurie, et al), put two children through St. Anthony’s and braces while earning his Masters Degree in Educational Leadership (FAU) at night. He quickly worked his way into administration and first served as an acting principal during summer school at Stirling Elementary in Hollywood. When the summer ended and John was scheduled to leave, the parents petitioned (picketed, harassed, and demanded) the School Board to keep him at Stirling as permanent principal. As a result, he was awarded the position. Sixteen years later, John took over at Pembroke Pines Elementary and subsequently retired from there (June 2003). He spent over 35 years educating the youth of Broward County and donated time, money, and endless energy to thousands of students and their families. John was an avid fisherman and friend to many. His years as an usher at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and member of the advisory council for the school gave him great pleasure as he continued to serve the community during retirement. His dedication, selfless service, and quick wit (sometimes, not so quick, but definitely corny) was legendary. Never forgotten was the time that at one extended principals’ meeting, John and several other principals secured a plastic cockroach to a helium balloon and sent it flying up to the superintendent as he was on stage speaking. Husband, father, grandfather, friend, and mentor, John P. Drag, Sr. will remain in the hearts and minds of many. John is predeceased by his father, John P. Drag, mother Jean Drag (Hernacki) and two sisters (both Broward County educators), Jean Simko (Drag) and Dorothy Sarzen (Drag). He is survived by his wife of fifty-three years, Ann W. Drag (Seabrook). Immediate family include his daughter Linda J. Heinz (Drag) of Lutz, Florida and her husband Daniel Heinz, his son John P. Drag, Jr. of Plantation and his wife Emily B. Drag (Bordy) with three grandchildren, Michael B. Drag, John P. Drag III, and Ryan M. Drag. Niece Mimi Araiinejad (Simko) and her family, nephews Chris and Marcel Sarzen and their respective families also count “Uncle Jack” as beloved and he will be greatly missed. The Drag Family will receive friends on Friday, October 24, 2014 from 4:00 -7:00 PM at the funeral home and Saturday, October 25, 2014 from 6:00 -8:00 PM at the funeral home. A prayer service will be held Saturday at 7:00 PM. Cremation arrangements by T. M. Ralph Funeral Home Sawgrass/Weston 371 NW 136 Ave Sunrise, FL 33325 954-587-6888 http://tmralph.com To honor John’s memory and help further the fight against cancer, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 238812, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-8804 or Catholic Hospice, 14875 N.W. 77 Avenue, Suite 100 Miami Lakes, FL