Obituary of Jeffrey D. Draper
Jeffrey D. Draper, age 41, of Dubois, PA and formerly of Trumbull, died on Thursday, January 17, 2008 in the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Born in Bridgeport and raised in Trumbull, Jeff was the beloved son of Jay and Ginny Altieri Draper of Fort Myers, Florida.
He was a member of the Trumbull High School Class of 1985 and served as class president. During his youth, Jeff enjoyed playing sports and was always an avid fan of the Buffalo Bills and Toronto Blue Jays. In Saint Marys, PA, he worked with his dad as manufacturing manager for Innovative Sintered Metals.
Following a liver transplant in 2003, Jeff felt a strong desire to help other people. He left the family business and returned to school to pursue a second career in the healthcare field.
In addition to his parents, he will be sadly missed by his fiancee and love of his life, Daniela Berger of Dubois, PA and her daughter Nicole Feix, who was to be his stepdaughter, his sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Michael Mancini and nephews Michael, Jr. and Daniel, of St. Augustine, FL., local aunts and uncles, Carol (Ron) Blaszczynski of Oxford and Lenore (Frank) Noia of Shelton, local cousins, Marc Hovhannissian, Christine Blaszczynski, Scott Hovhannissian, Kari Hovhannissian, Jaime Auten and Jenny Langley, and many additional aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Many will remember Jeff for his wit, humor and fun-loving personality. Those closest to him will remember him for his amazing strength, love and ability to touch so many hearts, especially during his final illness.
A Memorial Mass celebrating his life will take place on Saturday, February 2, 2008 at 11 a.m. in St. Catherine of Siena Church, Trumbull. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Friends may call at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, on Friday, February 1, 2008 from 4 -8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Jeff's memory to Thomas Starzl Transplant Institute, 3780 Fifth Ave., Medical Arts Building, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.