Category: Memorial

Today the Council, Assembly, and local veterans from the American Legion gathered at Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery to say goodbye to a dear friend–Eugene Chester Drogos.

It was a blustery day, but the sun was out and the large crowd huddled closer to block the wind that was testing the tiedown of the casket flag. Solemn prayers, committal words, and words of condolences were followed by a family friend playing Taps.

The trumpeter gave a beautiful rendition and the notes wafted across the cemetery as the Assembly Honor Guard and veterans stood smartly at attention.

Several Chief Petty Officers were provided by the United States Navy to fold the National Ensign, crease the corners smartly, and pass the flag from the folder to the presenter for solemn delivery to Louise Drogos, Gene’s wife of 74 years.

Then, as the gathering was about to depart, the family nurse of 15 plus years stood up and moved forward to personally honor Gene. She wanted to honor the Drogos family in a special, personal way. She sang AMAZING GRACE a cappella. It was beyond expectation as we “held church” at the gravesite. The moving words captivated the gathered crowd. Gene Drogos was going home to be with his Lord.

The local veterans of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Chapel Hill Post No. 6, American Legion, presented Louise with a special Bible in a cedar chest. It was a special remembrance and new family treasure from the area veterans.

Gene is gone, but his 67 years of community service to Chapel Hill and local veterans is full of special deeds, special moments, and personal example.

–^{– Chapel Hill, NC Feb. 3, 2021, by Lee Heavlin}

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jerome “Jerry” Pilarski on Friday, December 4, 2020.

A Council 10910 Charter Member, Jerry has been a driving force and great motivator for the Council and Assembly. No matter what the council was promoting, Jerry was first to step forward to say, “We can do that.” Actually, sometimes it ended up “I did that.” No job was to hard, too long, or too dirty. He exemplified the servant

Our catalog of council photos includes many, many events over the past 25 years. Jerry’s face or apron is sure to be in each file of photos.

We’ll provide a page of photos for the website, but for most of us, his face and voice are ever present as we think about the Catholic Community of St. Thomas More.

Details on a memorial service are pending. We will provide as we can obtain.

Psalm 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. A faithful Christian servant is patient to serve everyone, even when they are not ready to be served. Sometimes we need to wait for the perfect time to be a servant to a fellow brother or sister in Christ.