Obituary of Albert Richard Draht

Age 86, passed away on March 23, 2023 at Bethany Manor. Al was born on May 20, 1936, the youngest and last surviving child of eight born to Henry and Nina (Logan) Draht. Al is predeceased by his parents, seven brothers and sisters, first wife Betty Bixler Draht in 2003, second wife Jackie Sampsell Draht in 2022. He is survived by his daughter Susan, of Horseheads, son and daughter-in-law Alan and Kym, of Pine City, and Jackie's children….Robin (Mark), Chris (Sheila), Heidi (Brian), Amy. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, brother-in-law Larry Nuss, brother-in law and sister-in-law Fred and Marilyn Bixler and sister-in-law Irene Bixler.

Al graduated from Southside High School in 1953 and worked for Bern Furniture and Panosian's Home World. Al spent his retirement years delivering Meals on Wheels for 20+ years. His greatest joy was building handicap ramps with the Big Flats Lions Club, a group that built over 100 ramps. Al loved to bring the person out to use their new ramp for the first time. His favorite hobby was working in his woodshop. He was a past Jefferson Award winner (2012), Senior Citizen of the Year (2014) and he and Jackie were the current Office for the Aging Senior Volunteers of the Year for Chemung County.

Family and friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water St., Elmira, on Monday, March 27, 2023 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. Committal prayers and interment will then take place at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Thank you to Corning Hospital, Dr. Fucito and Bethany Village for his wonderful care. Al believed that medicine was just a practice and a beer a day kept the doctor away! In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Meals on Wheels, or the Pine City Volunteer Fire Dept.