Bartholomew J. Druery Iii

Bartholomew J. Druery III joined his wife Joanne in eternal paradise on February 16, 2018.

Bart died as he lived – with grit and grace. He drew his last breath in his beautiful home in Sun City, South Carolina, overlooking the golf course, listening to opera, wearing his first New York City Marathon t-shirt, with a cup of Starbucks in his hand and a love note for Joanne that she never had a chance to open, having preceded Bart in death on their 58th anniversary just two months earlier.

Bart was born on May 28, 1938 in Forest Hills Queens, New York where his grandfather was a NY City cop and his uncle ran the family’s A. Bauer’s Mustard business. Bart graduated from St. John’s University where he met Joanne and together they made lifelong friends and raised their family in Dix Hills, NY. Bart excelled in both engineering and philosophy and earned a master’s degree in mathematics from Adelphi University. Mr. Druery was an early pioneer in the computer industry, starting his career at Sperry Rand programming the world’s first computers on land and at sea. He worked as a Principal Software Engineer at Custom Computer Systems, and eventually launched his own entrepreneurial consulting firm, B3 Systems, Inc., where he designed software for burgeoning industries including video rentals, online retail sales, shipping/mailing, and industry conferences. Clients loved Bart’s affable nature and his ability to solve complex problems with tenacity and elegance.

Bart was an avid golfer (hello, 4th hole Bethpage Black Course). He was the pitcher in his neighborhood Sunday softball league; he carved Thanksgiving turkey like a surgeon; he synthesized the daily news while readily quoting Shakespeare. Bart and Joanne hosted countless backyard pool parties, neighborhood block parties, celebrations and dinner soirees. They owned a ski house in Stamford NY with friends, traveled the world together, visited every U.S. state capital in their reverence for democracy, volunteered at USGA tournaments, started an annual Fluckingham reunion in Orange Lake Florida (which still continues 30 years strong, spanning three generations), and created thriving communities that welcomed extended family and friends together in joy. They also had just as much fun simply reading novels, watching movies, playing bridge, doing the Sunday NY Times crossword puzzle (in pen), ballroom dancing in their living room, and casually getting all the answers right on Jeopardy. They especially relished taking their granddaughters on adventures and watching them play ice hockey.

The road was Bart’s cathedral and running was his salvation. Bart completed over a dozen marathons and hundreds of races in his trusty Asics and on his bike. He ran as athletes do - to strengthen his body and soul, to extend his fellowship with other runners, to rehab after a near-fatal car accident that destroyed his knees, and, when he was given the sacred gift of a new lung, he ran with gratitude for every breath of fresh air. Bart built a business to support runners with software to manage the Super Runner’s Shop stores and the New York City Marathon’s merchandising operation.

Bart was a gentle genius. He admired personal fortitude and well-informed opinions; he abhorred hypocrisy and the abuse of power. A conversation with Bart was filled with intellect, sensibility, empathy, critical thinking, and a good deal of hilarious puns. Bart’s life motto was “better to light one candle than to curse the darkness”. His fierce “never give up” attitude – even as he dragged oxygen tanks around and recovered from nearly 100 surgeries without complaining - was an inspiration for so many others to always strive for their own “personal bests”.

Bart’s brilliant mind, clever wit, indomitable spirit, and deep gratitude never faded. Bart’s last words to his beloved family were “it’s ok to smile, I’ve had a great life”.

Mr. Druery is survived by his 107-year-old mother, Marie Bauer Druery; son, Bart J. Druery, IV; daughter, Danielle Druery Duplin (John); sister, Aideen Finnegan Fraser (Dr. Doug Fraser); brother-in-law, Phil Megali (Kathy); and granddaughters, Alexandra Druery Duplin and Sophia Druery Duplin, in whom Bart’s integrity, curiosity, and joie de vivre, live on.

Bart was honored by his many friends and loved ones who all took a memorial walk together along his favorite nature trail, where he faithfully walked every day, offering a sweet hello to everyone he met.

Donations in Bart’s honor are gratefully accepted by: Duke Health Lung Transplant Director’s Fund, ATTN: Morgan Pope, 710 W. Main Street, Suite 200, Durham, NC 27701 or online via www.gifts.duke.edu/dukehealth?designation=3918709

Or, simply take a brisk walk, feed your mind with interesting facts, and by all means, become an organ donor.