Anthony James Drake

Anthony James “Tony” Drake, age 80, of AuTrain, died following a brief illness on Wednesday evening, September 1, 2021 at his home under the loving care of his family and North Woods Hospice.  He was born in Munising on July 2, 1941 to Earl and Ruth (St. Peter) Drake.  Tony grew up in Munising and at the age of eighteen, he set sail with the Interlake Steamship Company on the Great Lakes.  Throughout a forty-four year career, Tony worked through the ranks and retired from the ore boats as a Wheelsman.  He married Paulette Card and together they raised their four children.  In his youth, Tony loved racing fast cars and his favorite was his 427 Ford.  With a twinkle in his eye, he would recall stories of buying new tires, winning races, and buying four more tires in the same day.  He enjoyed snowmobiling when he wasn’t working, and he and Paulette enjoyed taking trips to the casino.

Tony is survived by his wife – Paulette Drake of AuTrain; their children – Kim (James) Steinhoff of AuTrain, Jeff (Caryn French) Drake of DePere, WI, Kristy (Bob Beauchaine) Drake of AuTrain, and Karen (Peter Silaghi) Drake of Key West, FL; grandchildren – Betty Jo, Jimmers, Kaitlin, Jeffrey, Nicholas, Kyle, Kody, and Westin; great-grandchildren – Ariana, Conner, and James; sisters – Marie Broda of Munising and Toddie Tweedale of Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Earl and Delbert Drake, and sisters Audrey Rextrew, Ruth Courter, Jean Burke, and Ella Burness.

A social gathering of family and friends to honor Tony’s life will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at the AuTrain Community Building from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.