Name: Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin
Address: Jacksonville, FL

2 years after his passing.... he is still very much missed.

Marcus will be fondly remembered and missed. ------ Mike Pastorello 

I am sorry to hear of Mr. Drewa's death so late but I would like to share my condolences.  I was hired at Methodist in 1974 and enjoyed the many parties and fun times we had at Methodist.  It was a wonderful place to work because of him.  He would send out recognition letters, flowers if you were in the hospital and he had an open door policy second to none.  I am a recipient of many of his two dollar bills and I keep them tucked away to hand down to my children.  May your memories keep you comforted.   Mary Ann Devery

I was at UF Health today to receive some items that had recently been discovered in storage that pointed to the old Methodist Hospital days.  Having personally been influenced by Marcus as a young boy, and continuing that connection into my life as a United Methodist Pastor, I can assure you his memory is alive and well in that place he so genuinely loved.  Stories of Marcus’ leadership, $2 bills, and genuine concern for all was evident.  3 of the 4 people I met with were hired originally by Marcus. So grateful for the connection.  
Rev. Durwood Foshee

Linda Hackett
I pray you rest in peace now Mr Drewa and that God will bless your loved ones with comfort in this, their time of such a precious loss...

I thank you sir for the beautiful family that you orchestrated at the "Miracle on Eighth Street" ( Methodist Hospital), where I was fortunate enough to be employed from 1976-1989...










I saved this letter in my Christmas boxes that Mr Drewa sent out after Freddie passed. It touched me to the soul. I think of him and his family each year when I read this. I know this letter comes from him to us now. 

I worked at Methodist Hospital from 1975 thru 1988 and still work at UF Health North.  Mr. Drewa was always a shining light and such a generous person.  I remember his Christmas parties well, as he gave very generous gifts from his giftshops.  I also remember the Alhambra nights for his devoted employees.  Praying for comfort for his 2 sons and their families. 

What a man for all ages!  Marcus "adopted" me like he did everyone to be sure I was successful in my new job as CEO of UF Health Jax.  He would call and visit to share stories about how this place grew to be what it is today.  And of course, I have a treasured collection of $2 bills, some with his birthday stamped on them.
It was a pleasure to be part of the ceremony that named the lobby at our new North Hospital in honor of Marcus.
He and his memory will live forever in the lobby at UF Health North.  May he rest in peace.

I first knew Marcus through my friend, Chaplain at Methodist, the late Ron Mudd, then as Dir. of HUD, dealth with him on property issues around Methodist Hospital. Had meals at the Hospital almost weekly, and he seemed to always be around. I enjoyed our conversations and thought he had done wonders with the property including the twin towers. He was a fine administrator and a fine man.


Always smiling, always welcoming, always asking how "are you" - a concensus builder, visionary, and strong leader. He sttod tall with conviction and cared about the human condition. Marcus helped people and left a footprint along the way. We tried so hard to get the Chocolate Chewy recioe from the lady in the restaurant. People would come from miles around for a Chocolate Chewy. She just wouldn't give it up. When he walked into the room, you knew it. And the shop. . .more Waterford in it than any store in the South, I always heard. He had fun. Always loved Rotary, too. Our NE FL Hospital PR Council always lived that board room...it was BIG. Just like Marcus and his long shadow. Godspeed, Marcus.
 

My heart breaks to know Mr Drewa is gone. My mentor and friend from Methodist Medical Center, he truly cared about our patients, employees and our families. Every time I see a $2 bill, I think of you. Even when I saw you not long ago in a healthcare facility, you had them in your drawer to bestow as a friendly gesture. I will miss your Christmas letter this year and for each one to come. Rest In Peace my friend and mentor. 
Love,
Margery Flannagan 

Mr. Drewa, was our CEO at Methodist Medical Center, He was always kind, happy and most of all a  loving person. He loved everyone y'all. Mr. Drewa would give you his shirt off his back if he had to. My most memorable moments about Mr. Drewa. Is how he appreciated all the employees every year at the awesome Christmas Parties he would have for us and knowing some of the employees this was their Christmas Dinner and their Christmas Gift that he would provide. You can see the tears in his eyes and oh yes they where tears of joy because, Mr. Drewa knew he had to be Santa to us. And our Employee Banquets each year Mr. Drewa made sure employees were recognized and awarded with dinner and a show at the Alhambra Dinne  Theatre. My 41 year old son  made me remember he was my date @ the age of 9 years old at the time and he said to me . Mom your PRESIDENT IS COOL. i got tell all my class mates i went to the Alhambra and got to see The Little Shop Of Horrors. I was like wow YOU REMEMBERED.  This is who our CEO is and was  Marcus E. Drewa. Always gave back to our community. Rest In Peace and in Heaven.

It was such an honor to meet Mr. Drewa at my first Leadership Council meeting upon joining the UF Health Jacksonville team in late 2019. He was a passionate advocate for our health system and its precursor, and often shared stories of success and support to keep us smiling. What a legacy! Rest in peace...

Marcus and I were friends and colleagues for almost 40 years. He was fond of telling me how he was the first person to ever sleep in the new Baptist Medical Center, even before it officially opened in 1955.  Marcus did his Administrative Residency  for his Master's Degree in Hospital Administration at Baptist  under the tutelage of Mr. Lawrence Payne, first CEO of the new Baptist.
    Marcus was one of a kind. We all remember the Methodist Gift Shop that was  Marcus' "hobby". What a remarkable shop it was. People would go "out of their way" just to browse thru the shop. And we remember the new Methodist Hospital Board Room Marcus built on the top floor of the hospital with a stunning view of downtown Jacksonville. Marcus was always ready to host luncheons for his CEO friends from the other hospitals in the city and innocently ask each of us to describe the Board Rooms at our hospitals (none of which had a view like the one Marcus had built!)
      And so Jacksonville has lost a friend and we in Hospital Administration have lost a greatly loved colleague. We may never again see another like Marcus Drewa.
Bill Mason
President Emeritus
Baptist Medical Center
Jacksonville, Fla.

One of the most energetic and enthusiastic  Gentleman with whom I was ever associated.  A wonderful Ambition to help others and our Community.

I met Mr. Drewa at my grandmother's funeral (Jean Dart). He was so kind, funny, and unassuming, it wasn't until the end of our conversation that I realized he was the former CEO of the hospital I work at (UF Health Jacksonville). He gave my three daughters each a $2 bill which I found out later was his calling card. I know my meeting with him was brief, but I can tell he left an impression wherever he went. Thankful for the legacy he left at our hospital. Praying for his family.

OBITUARY

Marcus E. Drewa

September 7, 1931 – November 11, 2021

Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home

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