Hello. I'm Katie Ring. Drew's friend from Boston…..On behalf of Drew's parents, Sam and Jennifer, I want to thank you all for being here. And I want to thank all of you for letting me share a few words about one of my favorite people, my dear friend, Drew.

Because I knew Drew both as a colleague and a friend, I can tell you that he was someone who was a sort of chameleon. He could fit in with lots of different people and had many friends and varied social circles……..Even friends of mine, who had only known Drew through meeting him at my house, said that he felt like their friend too.

There are a lot of people who could be up here sharing memories with you. And if I'm honest, Drew was such a good friend to me and helped me through so much, that I want more than anything to tell you things that feel worthy of his legacy. 

Everyone I've talked to says the same thing…………he was the best. He was so kind. Everyone liked him………Drew knew how to talk to anybody and make everyone feel comfortable. Drew was just truly interested in people. 

At work, he knew everyone's name — not just colleagues but janitors, security guards and the folks in the cafe………….He knew what their plans were for summer vacation and remembered to follow up and ask how it went…………… Honestly, I found it mind blowing,………and I never did figure out how he could possibly store away all that information.

It was in large part due to his genuine caring about people and his work that made Drew so successful…………He could speak intelligently and with authority on both the business and creative sides — a true rarity in the world of marketing and advertising.  

Drew's success story really belongs in a business magazine, ……….very few people go from design intern to head of creative for a fortune 500 company…………. I was just so incredibly proud of him.

Not only was he great at his job, he was able to do work that really mattered to him on a personal level……………A career favorite of his was the yearly national coming out day poster. And a favorite version was a multicolored rainbow paper stack………..But not in rainbow order — too cliche, he said. Words like pride and equality were laid over the top of the graphic image. We geeked out over using special photography techniques to make that image. …….Helping Drew create visuals to support his community on display in a busy downtown Boston storefront is something I will be forever grateful for.

Drew worked hard, ……and while there was stress accosted with working hard, there were so many days that he just felt so lucky to get to do what he did. 

It was easy to be proud of him, because you knew he was rising at work in an ethical way………….There were plenty of times, where he could have thrown someone under the bus (laugh here) and situations where I thought they probably deserved it (laugh here), but he never did. That was Drew……………..He always took the high road. It was just who he was.

While we only worked together for a few years, he we remained close after as great friends………………You didn't have to see Drew every day to feel like you were an active part of his life. He was always thinking of people. ……If he called, I answered…….. He did the same for me. 

There were so many things that he should've gotten to do in his life………..He was amazing with my kids. I couldn't wait for him to be dad — he would been an awesome one. It feels profoundly unfair that his life was cut short before he could experience that joy.

Drew and I also had a habit of giving each other tough love. ……….Sometimes it annoyed him and he told me so... but it also brought him peace.

He once brought a bottle of expensive champagne to share by my fire pit because he thought the occasion was worth celebrating. ………He loved good food. Nothing was better than finding the best lobster roll, learning how to open oysters (i taught him that) or coming to grill at my house where he'd hang out with my husband instead of me. Suddenly he'd morph into a Boston bro. For the people in the back, yes I'm rolling my eyes at this thought even now. 

We loved going to restaurants together, and were sometimes mistaken for a couple. ………..On one Sunday funday Sunday lunch, the ladies at the neighboring table started talking to us. (Yes of course Drew talked to strangers) They asked if he was treating me night……………and Drew and I cracked up.

I recently shared this story with our friend Jane who said she'd be flattered if anyone thought she was Drew's partner. ….and I agree. ……When someone is as universally well liked as Drew was, you feel special that they've chosen you as a friend. 

From the day Drew posted  "ally"  on my office door I was always proud to show up for him. ……..He included me in experiences like an intimate music venue with a trans artist who shared their new music along with fears, hopes dream for their community. It was very special that Drew shared that experience with me.

I've picked up my phone so many times to share a supportive social media post, or just a random thought about the unfairness that community can experience…….and then I remember.

Drew was outspoken in his political beliefs and advocated for what he believed in. He cared more about doing what was right than what would benefit him personally.

Just a few days before he passed away we shared an unusually long phone call. Since we generally texted more often so I will be forever grateful that I got this last bit of time with him.

The reason Im telling you this, is because his advice that day, is something I think we could all hear more of.

He told me, most people are not self aware. They're self interested. They're not out to get you, they just don't think about their impact on others. He understood that people are flawed but he managed to not take this personally. ……………..He was so wise.

He was taken from us too soon, but I will treasure every moment I had with him and I know you will too. In remembering him as the good person he was, I hope his memory reminds you to always be trying to do better.

You can't always be sure that other people are rooting for you but Drew always was.

I want to leave you with this poem called, LOVE LETTER FROM THE AFTERLIFE by Andrea Gibson

My love, I was so wrong.

Dying is the opposite of leaving. When I left my body, I did not go away.

That portal of light was not a portal to elsewhere, but a portal to here.

I am more here than I ever was before. I am more with you than I ever could have imagined. So close you look past me when wondering where I am.

It’s Ok. ……….I know that to be human is to be farsighted. ……But feel me now, walking the chambers of your heart, …..pressing my palms to the soft walls of your living.

Why did no one tell us that to die is to be reincarnated in those we love while they are still alive?

Ask me the altitude of heaven, and I will answer, “How tall are you?”

In my back pocket is a love note with every word you wish you’d said.

At night I sit ecstatic at the loom weaving forgiveness into our worldly regrets.

All day I listen to the radio of your memories. …………….Yes, I know every secret you thought too dark to tell me, and love you more for everything you feared might make me love you less.

When you cry I guide your tears toward the garden of kisses I once planted on your cheek, so you know they are all perennials. ……………….Forgive me, for not being able to weep with you. One day you will understand...

Rest easy Drew, we love you. You will be forever in our hearts.