Dave Drakula
Dave Drakula, a former Cameron County Commissioner and syndicated outdoor columnist, died Sunday, Aug. 25, 2002, at his residence, after a long battle with cancer. He was 59 years old.
He was born June 19, 1943, in Uniontown, Pa., the son of Steve and Betty Shiffbauer Drakula.
Dave was a graduate of German Township High School and received his bachelor’s degree from California State, and received his master’s degree from Johns Hopkins in 1967. A resident of Emporium, since 1967, he was a teacher with Cameron County School District, where he retired after 35 years. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Teachers Association, The Friends of the Cameron County Library, the Bucktail Rod and Gun Club, and the Sinnemahoning Sportsmen’s Club, the Emporium Moose Lodge, The Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, the Wild Turkey Federation, and the National Rifle Association. Starting in 1973, Dave was elected a Cameron County commissioner for three terms. His public service totaled 12 years. He also served one term on the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
For 17 years, he owned the Mountain Journal Magazine and wrote an outdoor column for 11 newspapers, including the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. In 2001, he published a memoir, Full Season: A Deerhunter’s Story.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Gwen Drakula; two sons, David Drakula Jr., of New York City, and Michael Fapore of Somerset, Pa.; one daughter, Tracy Fapore of Emporium; three grandchildren, Douglas Petty of Emporium, and Patrick and Michaela Fapore, both of Somerset; one sister, Regina Springer of York, Pa.; and two nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Friends called on Tuesday, Aug. 27, in the EDWARD M. BARNETT FUNERAL HOME, where a Vigil Service was held at 3:45 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated today at 10:30 a.m., from St. Marks Catholic Church, with the Rev. Paul Siebert, Pastor, as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Marks Cemetery, Emporium.
Memorials, in memory of Mr. Drakula, may be made to the Barbara Brown Memorial Library or to a charity of the donor’s choice.