Drew M. Valla, 67, passed away on Monday, February 22, 2016 after a valiant battle with cancer. Drew was born on July 23, 1948 in Torrington, Connecticut as the only child of Andrew and Rose Valla.

Drew graduated from Torrington High School in 1966. He then went to Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven where he double majored in Science and History. At SCSU, he began a fraternity, Phi Alpha Omega, which was created in order to serve the college and community. Their motto was 'Understanding by Unity.' During his time in school, he also met his wife, Kathleen, and married her shortly after their graduation. Drew began his career by teaching troubled teenagers in Massachusetts. After seven years, he decided he was ready for a new challenge and went back to school at the University of Rhode Island to study Plant and Soil Science. With this new knowledge, he was able to start his own business, Deepwood Nursery. Drew loved working on his land, growing his plants, and having his dogs as his faithful companions each day at work. One of Drewé