Family and friends said a final farewell to ABC7's John Drury on Thursday. He died over the weekend after a long battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. He was 80 years old.
John Drury loved music and as his family and friends gathered to say farewell, more than one mourner said, "John would love this. He's singing right now." Those that knew him best admitted that singing might be a tad off-key, but great communicators are allowed that license.
"I think was made John such a great communicator was that John was also a great listener - that he was able to be present to people - he listed to them, he felt with them. He felt with the whole human condition," said Fr. Joel Fortier, St. Thomas the Apostle Church.
The resounding theme of his funeral service was that John - as a husband, father, and an anchorman - knew how to connect with people - through his head and his heart.
"I'll probably never work anywhere again where I feel so loved," said Kathy Giandonato, John's nurse.
Giandonato took care of John during his four year struggle with Lou Gehrig's disease which, fairly early on, took away John's trademark laugh and then voice. But his fight to the end, Kathy says was one of dignity, and just before he passed, Giandonato says John smiled.
"And I think that made him smile. He's free. He's free. He's so free," said Giandonato.
So if you happen to be out there walking on a quiet day, and you hear that laugh and you're reading that book and you hear that voice, make sure you say hello, he'd like to sit down and talk," said Frank Mathie, John's friend.
There is a banner above the altar at St Thomas which reads "Believe, belong, make a difference." John Drury did that.
A public memorial service will be held Friday at Chicago's Holy Name Cathedral. It will be streamed live on ABC7Chicago.com.
Memorial gifts in honor of John Drury
The family would appreciate if, in lieu of flowers, contributions honoring John's memory could be sent to one of the following:
John and Ann Drury Endowed Fund for HomeCare Physicians
Central DuPage Health Foundation
27W353 Jewell Rd.
Winfield,IL 60190
630-933-6644
www.cdhealthfoundation.org
Brain Research Foundation
111 West Washington St
Suite 1710
Chicago, IL 60602
312-759-5150
www.brainresearchfoundation.org
Muscular Dystrophy Association/ALS Division
1020 W. 31st Street
Suite 310
Downers Grove, IL 60515
630-960-1500
Les Turner ALS Foundation
5550 W. Touhy Avenue #302
Skokie, IL 60077
847-679-3711
www.lesturnerals.org
