Charles Drew Morten departed this world in the early morning hours of March 16, 2016. He leaves behind his best friend and wife of 36 years, Donna Pereira, his daughter Amelia Edelman (Christopher) and three adoring grandchildren, John, Charlotte and Walter. Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts to Charley E. Morten, an officer in the U.S. Navy, and Lina (DeCesere) Morten, an elementary school teacher, Drew, as he was known to all, spent most of his childhood in Middletown, RI. He graduated from the Portsmouth Abbey, and went on to study at Fordham University in the Bronx, where he earned a B.S. in Biology and Psychology in 1974. In 1977, Drew and his future wife moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where Drew completed a Physician Assistant Program, and later earned a Master's Degree in Public Health from Saint Louis University. After a number of years in clinical practice Drew entered the field of health care administration, occupying a number of senior leadership positions with health care organizations in Missouri and later, in Connecticut, where he settled with his family in 1997. In 2000, he returned to work as a clinician, ultimately becoming the staff clinician at the Cartus Corporation in Danbury, CT, the position from which he retired in 2014. Drew was very proud to have served as a member of the U.S. Naval Reserves for eleven years, during which time he was called upon to serve as a PA in Bahrain as part of Operation Desert Shield.
He was also very active in his community. He served as the President of the Missouri Academy of Physician Assistants, has held multiple committee positions with the American Academy of Physician Assistants and served as President of the Connecticut Academy of Physician Assistants. In 1998 he was recognized as the Saint Louis University Allied Health Alumnus of the Year. Drew served three terms as Chairman of the Board of the Western Connecticut Chapter of the American Red Cross. He is past Chairman of the Southbury Democratic Town Committee and in 2011 was reelected for a second term as District Delegate to the Connecticut State Democratic Party. He was recently honored by the CT Democratic Party as the first recipient of the John M. Bailey award.
Drew enjoyed traveling: he liked to explore new places and to try new foods. But no matter where he traveled or even lived, he remained a Rhode Islander at heart: he loved the beach, and all things Rhode Island, including the family of his wife, a native of East Providence. Drew was a loving and supportive father and a devoted grandfather. He was also a loyal friend, and is sorely missed by all those who had the privilege to know him.

Memorials: Memorial contributions can be made in his name to the Regional Hospice and Home Care Center, 30 Milestone Road, Danbury, CT 06810 or the Smilow Cancer Center Closer to Free Fund at P.O. Box 1849, New Haven, CT 06508.

Cemetery: Cemetery Not Applicable

Location: Munson-Lovetere Southbury

Funeral: Church Not Applicable

Services: A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 2nd at 10AM at the Heritage Hotel in Southbury.