Cornelius Robert Dreger

Cornelius Robert Dreger, always a man for others, died peacefully on October 16, 2021 at Falmouth Hospital in the company of his daughters. The seventh of eight children, he was born on July 26, 1930 in Philadelphia to Robert Dreger and Mary Dougherty. Neil attended Catholic Schools there, including St. Joseph’s Preparatory High School and St. Joseph’s College, graduating in 1952 with a degree in Business. Later he moved to Massachusetts where he met Margaret (Peg) Dreger, to whom he was married for 64 years until her death in 2020. Neil was also predeceased by his wife, Barbara Cleary of Philadelphia, who passed in 1953.

He worked in various sales positions for many years, including Assistant Manager of Sears in Holyoke and West Springfield. His last position was as the owner of a courier business from Bradley Airport to Western Massachusetts and Southern Vermont. Those who worked for him described Mr. Dreger as kind, fair and unforgettable.

Dad loved his family, very hot coffee, lunch at the Flying Bridge, March Madness, Perry Como, and sitting on the couch with his grandchildren. His two claims to fame were playing against Wilt Chamberlain in high school and getting an autographed baseball from Ted Williams, who bought a mattress at Sears in the sixties. He was a self described imperfect Catholic, who attended Sunday mass until he couldn’t do the steps, prayed for us all while saying, “this too shall pass,” and always ready to lend a hand or an ear to anyone who needed a few bucks, or to be listened to without judgement.

Neil is survived by his brother, Msgr. Francis X. Dreger of Brigantine, New Jersey, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews in the Philadelphia area. His greatest source of pride and joy were his children: Barbara Egan (Dennis) of South Hadley; Janet Dreger (Vincent DeSantis) of Wellesley; Margaret Maurukas of Falmouth; Rosemary Dreger Carey (Jaime) of Falmouth; Maureen Dreger Pena (Carlos) of Marshfield; and John Dreger (Rachel Siegel) of Great Barrington. He was and always will be, the best “Connie” to eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. His kind and generous spirit will live on in all of them, and us.

Services will be held from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke, MA  01040. Calling hours will be held there on Friday, October 29, 2021 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, with a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 10:00 am at Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street, also in Holyoke. Burial will be private. Donations in Neil’s memory may be made to Holyoke Medical Center, 575 Beech St., Holyoke, MA 01040, where he received wonderful care many times.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Cornelius Robert Dreger, please visit our floral store.