David Joseph Drake

Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory of Blairsville announces funeral mass for David Joseph Drake, 70, of Blairsville, Georgia, who died peacefully at home, due to kidney disease.

Born February 17, 1950 in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Marion Leroy and Antionetta Burdo Drake. David attended The Culinary Institute of America on the Yale, New Haven, Connecticut campus. He was the owner and chief operator of several restaurants all around the Atlanta area since 1979, which included a wholesale bakery, Antonietta's Pizzeria of Marietta, Georgia and Monet's here in Blairsville, since 1991. David taught culinary classes at North Georgia Tech for many years, and was the inspiration and mentor for many of the local restauranteurs, chefs, cooks and bakers. Baking and cooking was his passion, and he was known for his cheesecakes!

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joan Hawley Drake of Blairsville; sons: David Mathew Drake and George Kopec of Tucker, Georgia; Edward Drake and wife Alexandria Williams and Thomas Hawley, all of Blairsville; Two sisters: Pamela and husband Glenn Pickens of Alpharetta, Georgia; Christine and husband Lee Robinson, of Seattle, Washington. Many, many family members all over the United States.

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Blairsville on Wednesday, October 21, 2020, at 12 noon.

Due to COVID, social distancing and masks will be required. No gathering, please, after services. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, (st.jude.org or 1-800-805-5856) or to The National Kidney Foundation, (kidney.org/donation).

Cochran Funeral Home and Crematory of Blairsville is honored to be serving the family of David Joseph Drake. Please share your condolences and sign the guest registry online at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.