Hugh Frederic Drake
1944-2023
As published in the February 5, 2024 World-Spectator
We regret to announce the passing of Hugh Frederic Drake Jr. at age 79 years. Hugh Drake was born in Elkhorn, Manitoba. He was the eldest of two children of Peter Drake and Florence (Ogilvie). His sister Mary Rosenau lives in Edmonton, Alberta.
Hugh took his elementary education at the Burnbank Country School and his high school in Elkhorn, Manitoba. Hugh started farming right after high school. He met the love of his life, Myrna Black, at Nichol’s Barn Dance. They were married July 19, 1969, on Myrna’s birthday.
Hugh and Myrna were blessed with two sons, Darwin Frederic Drake (Carla) and Dwayne Martin Drake (Kim). Darwin was born on his dad’s birthday March 18. They were also blessed with three grandchildren Danny, Jessie, and Gavin, as well as three step-grandchildren Presley, Harley and Declan.
In Hugh’s younger years, he was an active curler, helped with construction of the skating rink, and served on the rink board. Hugh was actively involved with fundraising to put in the artificial ice plant, including a JD tractor raffle which he was very happy to see neighbours Oscar and Grace Duxbury win!
Hugh was a hard-working farmer through and through. Hugh worked with his dad Peter on the family farm.
Hugh served on the local Manitoba Pool elevator board in Elkhorn as a chairman and as a delegate for the sub-district for 28 years.
Hugh was then elected director for the region in 1993, a position he held for 14 years. During these years he attended the University of Calgary Institute of Corporate Directors and obtained his Professional ICD.D designation.
Hugh also completed his Canadian International Grains Institute Course.
Hugh continued on the board during the mergers of Manitoba Pool and Alberta Pool known as Agricore, and as Agricore and UGG merged to form Agricore United and then Saskatchewan Pool bought out Agricore United to become what’s now known as Viterra.
He was on the Heartland Livestock Board, Manitoba Canola Growers Board, Manitoba Flax Growers Board and the Wasagaming Foundation Board. He served on the Debt Review Board helping farmers with debt problems in the late ‘80s.
Hugh enjoyed his time off the farm at these meetings with fellow farmers with similar interests who became lifelong friends. While away at meetings Hugh relied on his family to carry on the work at the farm.
Hugh liked to travel and made all the travel plans while keeping in mind what his wife would like. Family holidays were taken to Bismark, Mount Rushmore in 1981 and to Vancouver Expo 1986.
Hugh and Myrna also travelled to Florida, Branson, Missouri, San Antonio, Texas, Palm Desert, California, Hawaii Islands and Alaska. They also took a Caribbean Cruise and the highlight was at St. Thomas where they sat on Sir Francis Drake’s lookout seat, where he had watched for the Spanish Armada!
In 2019, Hugh and Myrna celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by going back to their roots and visiting England, Ireland and Scotland.
The following year they toured Switzerland on a bus tour and then the Rhine River Cruise stopping in Germany and France and ending in Amsterdam.
Their travels in Canada were the best! Banff’s scenery is the best in the world. They enjoyed travelling the Maritimes, where they enjoyed Anne Murray’s memorabilia museum in Springhill, Nova Scotia and Anne of Green Gables in Prince Edward Island. The Canadian view of Niagara Falls is the best. They stopped and visited relatives at Owen Sound and Tobermory, Ontario. They loved the Yukon and Vancouver Island.
Hugh was very proud that his two sons Darwin and Dwayne and grandson Danny all became farmers. There is another future farmer in grandson Gavin. This makes five generations of Drake farmers! Hugh’s last couple of harvests will be remembered as he harvested in the same field with his grandsons.
Thank you
We have been overwhelmed by the kindness of many people during this difficult time. We are getting by leaning on our faith, family and friends. Please accept our heartfelt thanks for prayers, flowers, visits, baking, groceries, supplies, phone calls, texts, cards and donations. God bless you all!
Love Myrna and Family
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