Northampton, Charles Anson Drake of Canton Avenue, Amherst, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2016.  He was born in Amherst on December 18, 1926 the son of the late Albert R. Drake and Ida (Brockway) Drake. He graduated from Smith Academy in 1944.  He was a Navy veteran serving during both World War II and the Korean War.  He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W., Norwottuck Fish and Game, and the National Rifle Association. He worked for 42 years at New England Telephone. 

He married the love of his life, Doris (Clark) Drake on September 27, 1952.  They were happily married for 64 years.  He leaves two sons, David F. Drake and partner, Leslie Benson of New Salem; Clark A. Drake and wife, Kimberly of Sunderland; two daughters, Laurie Doubleday and partner, John Sullivan of Wendell; Kimberly and her husband, Donald Stebbins of Northfield. His joys later in life were his seven grandchildren, Bob Doubleday, Kasey and her husband, Jason Grant, Cory and his wife, Tessa Doubleday, Courtney and Ashley Drake, Tyler and his wife, Lisa Godfrey and Drew Stebbins, and his four great grandchildren, Charlie and Chandler Grant, and Emmalyn and Brantley Godfrey. He also enjoyed his many nieces and nephews. 

He is predeceased by his brother, Albert Drake and two sisters, Mary Baker and Dorothy Cleveland. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association. 

Calling hours will be Friday December 16, 2016 from 11:00 – 1:00 at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Burial will follow in North Amherst Cemetery. For those unable to attend, you are invited to the V.F.W. Main St. Amherst for a reception following the burial.