Obituary of Chief John William Drake III

John William Drake III, 73, died on April 2, 2025, at home surrounded by his family. He was born in Morristown, NJ, and lived in White Meadow Lake before moving to Morris Plains 35 years ago.

John graduated form Morris Catholic High School in 1969 received an Associate’s Degree from County College of Morris in 1971. He worked for the Chatham Borough Police Department for 31years until he retired in 2010 as Police Chief.

He was a member of the State Chiefs of Police and a member of St. Virgil’s Church.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Wendy Drake (nee Werthmann), and loving children, Amanda Davis, Clayton, NC, Adriana Ratica and her husband, Jeff, Raleigh, NC, Max and his wife, Kacey, Lake Hopatcong, NJ, and Sam and Jack both of Morris Plains. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren, McKenzie, Emma, Ella and Hailey as well as a brother Tom and his wife, Dottie, Kissimmee, FL.

Family and friends are welcome to gather at St. Virgil’s Tacy Center prior to the Funeral Mass at 9am on Friday, April 11, 2025. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10am at St. Virgil’s Church, Morris Plains.

Interment is private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made in John’s memory to Garen State C.O.P.S., New Jersey, (www.gardenstatecops.org/donate).

Arrangements are under the care of Dangler Funeral Home, Morris Plains, NJ.