Paul R. Drury

Plantsville - Paul Drury, 50, of Plantsville passed away at Yale New Haven Hospital on December 19, 2016 after a courageous life battling cystic fibrosis. Paul was born in Hinsdale, Illinois on May 25, 1966 to Sally and John Drury, the youngest of six children. He was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age three, changing his life and the lives of those close to him. Paul moved to Cheshire, Connecticut in 1971 with his parents and siblings, Christine, Leslie, Andrea, John and Carl, and settled into his life of ups and downs. Despite his illness, Paul played baseball, hockey and golf, with the best games happening on Greenwood Drive in Cheshire. He met lifelong friends at Cheshire High School and even played on the CHS golf team, an impressive feat for a CF patient. Paul graduated and went on to attend the University of Connecticut, where he made more friends that he cherished until his passing. Paul also found a passion in art, especially pointillism, and donated many of his paintings to the families of those with cystic fibrosis. Paul’s paintings hang on the walls of homes all over the country, and serve as a beautiful reminder of his talent. After graduating from UCONN despite a few medical setbacks, he went into the world with great eagerness. He interned for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Hartford and eventually became the Executive Director of the Connecticut Chapter. More recently he became Director of Special Events for the Chapter. He formed many meaningful friendships with those in the CFF community. He has helped raise millions of dollars for CFF and has served as a beacon of hope and support for many CF families.

In 1995, his lungs could no longer support him and he was put on the waiting list for a double-lung transplant. The day after his 29th birthday, a donor was found and Paul was given a second chance at life, which he always referred to as “extra time.” Paul was an unwavering advocate for organ donation and wasted no time in living every day to the fullest. In 2004, Paul received a kidney donation from his brother Carl, another wonderful gift of life. That year Paul also saw his beloved Red Sox win the World Series, and would go on to see them win it two more times in his life.

Through his work with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Paul hosted many fundraising events, including Bid for a Bachelor. This is where Paul met the love of his life, Ivona. Ivona, a nurse, took to Paul’s shameless humor, and the two were together from that day forward. They wed in 2003, and lived an amazing life of love and adventure. They travelled often, and rescued two beloved Rhodesian ridgeback dogs, Jinx and Taz. The dogs lived wonderful lives and, with their recent passing, Paul and Ivona opened their home to two more rescues, Simon and Bailey. While he loved all of his dogs unconditionally, Paul said that Jinx had a special way of knowing when he wasn’t feeling well and would always join him for a much-needed cuddle on the couch.

While short, Paul’s life was so full of love and laughter. He never once let his illness define him and was an inspiration to all who met him. His sarcasm injected humor into otherwise difficult situations, and his passion for all he did was contagious.

Paul is survived by his wife, Ivona Drury; his mother, Sally Drury; his siblings, Christine Baldridge and her husband John, Leslie Brainard and her husband Gary, Andrea Harney, John Drury, Carl Drury and his wife Becky; his nieces and nephews, Whitney Nowlin, Sarah McKenney, Blaire Trammell, Nicholas Ludwig, Lacey Tschudy, Leah Drury, Alyssa Drury, Drew Harney, John Drury, and Tessa Harney. He is preceded in death by his father, John F. Drury; his niece, Valerie Ludwig; and his beloved dogs Jinx and Taz.

Paul will be remembered fondly and lovingly as a husband, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend to many.

Arrangements – Funeral services for Mr. Drury will be held Thursday, December 29, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Bridget Church, 175 Main St., Cheshire. Friends are asked to meet directly at church. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 S. Main St., Cheshire. At the request of his family, memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 101 Centerpoint Drive, Suite 107, Middletown CT 06457.