Lifelong Aberdeen Resident Joseph J. Drago Dies at 80

Joseph J. Drago, 80, of Aberdeen, passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2014, at Centra State Medical Center, Freehold, NJ, surrounded by his loving family.  He was born in Aberdeen and was a lifelong resident. He was a Gold Seal Stationary Engineer and worked for Kimberly Clark in Spotswood, NJ for over 40 years.  He was the founder of two businesses--Oak Tree Auto Body, Morganville, NJ, and East Street Auto in Memphis, TN.  Each of the highly successful businesses are owned and operated by his two sons.  In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors, he loved a range of outdoor activities, particularly hunting, fishing and boating.  He was an avid gardener and for many years was a pigeon and beekeeper.  

Joseph was predeceased by his parents, Angelo and Almida Testino Drago, and his sister, Maria Drago, who passed on January 12, 2014.  He is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara (Maresca) Drago of Aberdeen and his five loving children: Barbara Winebrenner and her husband, Robert Winebrenner, DDS, of Hagerstown, MD; Donna Saidman and her husband, Sheldon, of Colorado Springs, CO; Debora Wilemon and her husband, Clay, of Laguna Nigel, CA; Joseph A. Drago and his wife, Dina, of Perrineville; and James Drago and his wife, Alison, of Memphis, TN; his cherished grandchildren:  Maria Winebrenner Tadic and her husband, Dario, of Alexandria, VA; Joseph Drago and Christopher Drago, both of Perrineville; John Drago and his wife, Meghan, of Tyrone, PA; Austin, Tyler, Kyle and Andrea Wilemon, all of Laguna Nigel, CA;  Nicholas and Kara Drago of Memphis, TN; David Saidman and his wife, Rochelle, of Lafayette, CO; Michael Saidman of Ojai, CA; John Winebrenner and his wife, Stephanie, of Richmond, VA; Katherine Piccoli and her husband, Randy, of Baltimore; and his precious great grandchildren, Todd Piccoli and Lawson Winebrenner, as well as his two loving sister-in-laws, Joan Brown and Carol Brady.  He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

 Visitation will be held on Friday, February 7, 2014, from 2-4 and  7-9 PM, at Day Funeral Home, 361 Maple Place, Keyport, NJ  07735, and Saturday, February 8, 2014, at 9:45 AM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 AM at St. Joseph Church, Keyport.  Entombment will follow at Marlboro Memorial Cemetery and Mausoleum, Rt. 79, Marlboro, NJ.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Joseph’s memory can be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, c/o St. Joseph’s Church, 376 Maple Place, Keyport NJ, 07735. To post an online condolence to the family or for directions to the funeral home, please visit www.dayfuneralhome.com.