Earl W. Dridge

Born in England on Dec. 27, 1920, he was the son of George and Lillian (Cooper) Dridge. He married Dorthea Smith in 1939 in North Carolina. She predeceased him in 2007.

He was a veteran of the United States Army Air Force, having served three years in Operations for the 321st Fighter Group during World War II in India, North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Germany, and was deployed in the invasion of southern France. He had a long and distinguished career as an English teacher and served as the chair of the Seaford High School English Department from 1960 until his retirement in 1980. He was an avid mountain climber and ham radio operator (call sign WB2GRB), a voracious reader, an animal lover and a baseball fan, and also greatly enjoyed rebuilding computers. He and Dorthea spent all their summers at Saranac Lake from 1958 on.

He is survived by one son, Austin Dridge of Saranac Lake and Lynbrook; one brother, Harry Dridge of Texas; several dear nieces, nephews, cousins and many fond friends; and his beloved dog, Calvin.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. There will be no calling hours. A celebration of his life will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Lynbrook Diner in Lynbrook.

Friends wishing to remember Earl W. Dridge may make memorial contributions to Pets for Vets (pets-for-vets.com) directly or in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.