Obituary of John Franklin Drazek

John (Janek) Franklin Drazek of Camillus, age 84, passed peacefully on Saturday April 26 th , 2025
while in Sarasota Fl. John was born November 7 th 1940 in Amsterdam NY, to the late Stanley
and Louise (Lewek) Drazek. Although the Drazek family moved to Syracuse, he was fond of
Amsterdam and regularly shared stories of little league baseball, fishing, Boy scouting, St.
Stanislaus Church, School, and serving as altar boy at the Auriesville Shrine. In the summers, he
spent several weeks on his Uncle’s farm in Hagaman NY, which he described as agrarian bliss.
John was a 1958 graduate, the first class of Sacred Heart School in Syracuse, NY. Stories of his
days as a bell boy at Hotel Syracuse were legendary and while working full time, he continued
his education at SUNY Oswego. John graduated from the School of Education with Bachelor of
Science and then dedicated nearly 40 years as a Teacher at Porter Elementary School in the
Syracuse City School District.
While visiting family in Poland, John met the love of his life; Svetlana (Runec) Drazek, a
Belarusian student visiting Krakow. He requested her address on a napkin after a dance and
they Wed in 1974; shortly thereafter. They shared 50 years of marriage.
John was a vibrant member of the educational community, including STA, NYSUT, and AFT
where he held positions, and was a delegate. As a NYSUT and AFT representative, he taught
English in Poland supporting The Solidarity movement. He was one of the earliest Board
Members of SECNY FCU and served as Board President for several years. John was proud to be
a part of the SECNY success story. In addition to teaching, John enjoyed real estate investment.
He was a master communicator speaking English, Polish, Russian, and some Ukrainian. This
provided him a niche in both residential and investment sales. Pan Jan loved helping people
and was well known in the Slavic community. John’s real estate acumen later transitioned into
building several custom homes. After his last build, he settled in and spent time with his family
enjoying the fruits of his labor in CNY, and Sarasota FL.
A man of faith, John was deeply proud of Polish Catholic traditions. He attended mass regularly
and was proud of his alma mater church, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He believed a
family which prays together would always stay together. John was a 4 th degree member of the
Knights of Columbus, and a Moose Club member of Annamarie Island, FL Lodge 2118. John F
Drazek enjoyed travel, adventure, theatre, baseball games, cowboy movies, old time radio,
Saratoga for the ponies, fishing, oysters and a beer, and summer at the camp, better known as
the “Dacha”. John’s charm was ubiquitous exuding: happiness, kindness, love, respect, and
loyalty as a husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, friend, and forever teacher. He is
survived by his wife Svetlana Drazek, son Ivan (Leah) Drazek, and daughter Natasha Drazek.
John also had three grandchildren, whom he adored: Dimitri Reynolds, Antonina Drazek and
Nadezhda Drazek. He is predeceased by his parents Stanley and Louise (Lewek) Drazek, Emil
Drazek (brother), Helen Liebi (sister), and Richard Liebi (nephew).

Calling Hour: 9 to 9:45 AM Saturday in The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM. Interment will be at a later date.

Family request Instead of Flowers Donations to: Sacred Heart Basilica Preservation Fund 927 Park Ave Syracuse NY 13204 or ONLINE www.sacredheartbasilicasyr.org (click DONATIONS and Scroll to Preservation Fund)

Live Stream: The Basilica of The Sacred Heart of Jesus

http://bit.ly/4dCjjs6