January 21, 1997 – June 30, 2021

Drake William Norup

After a long and hard fought battle with a debilitating mental illness, Drake William Norup ascended to heaven on June 30, 2021.

There are so many words that describe Drake: kind, selfless, spiritual, brave, strong, stubborn, intelligent, athletic, environmentalist…

Born and raised in Sonoma, Drake was a blond bundle of energy in his youth – he loved being around people, riding anything with wheels, and most importantly spending all the time he could with his older brother, Dexter. During many of those years he was a member of the Sonoma Strikers soccer club, making many friends and memories as they dominated tournaments across northern California. Attending St. Francis Solano School from K-8 helped to light a spiritual fire that remained up to his last days.

Drake attended Justin Sienna High School in Napa and demonstrated his easy ability to make friends, play sports, while passing classes without much effort. His athleticism and strong will were readily apparent on the playing fields. Everyone loved to watch him as a four-year Varsity starter in lacrosse, excelling as a small but incredibly quick and nimble attacker. Drake was the leading scorer and also delivered more assists than anyone else on his team – a rare mark of selflessness. In soccer, he was also a four-year Varsity starter on defense. He earned all-league honors for his ability to run down and prevent opposing forwards from scoring goals.

High school ended on a high note with his admission to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, to study Agricultural Business. Sadly, this is also when the debilitating early signs of schizoaffective disorder began for Drake. All the things that were once easy for him became very difficult. Over the next 6 years, he battled against a progressively worsening disease, desperately searching for peace and happiness, and wanting nothing more than the ability to have a normal life.

He fought so bravely, and was making great strides in finding stability, but in recent months took a progressively worsening turn that his amazing TMHA mental health team and his family struggled to help him overcome. Sadly, we lost him. The only relief is that at least he has now found his heaven, and is finally at peace.

In the days since his passing, we have heard many stories about his kind and loving attitude. From petting every dog he walked by, to saving a dying and abandoned plant, to enthusiastically fist-bumping and greeting homeless people on the street, to literally giving away his last penny…Drake was a rare loving soul whose bright light was extinguished far too soon. We are deeply saddened that the world will never get a chance to know him as we did, or benefit from his contribution.

Drake is survived by his adoring parents Kim and Andrea Norup; beloved brother Dexter Norup; grandparents Will Norup, Pam and Paul Maciaz, Joe and Sandee Sesto; aunts and uncles Ulla and Michael Milbrath, Gino and Bettina Sesto; cousin Rowyn Milbrath; and beloved family dog Guido. He is preceded in death by his sweet grandmother Grete Norup.

Drake, we love you to the moon and back, miss you terribly, and are trying to find some small solace in the fact that you are now finally at peace in heaven.

There will be a private ceremony at St. Francis Cemetery, and a celebration of his life to be announced in the future.

If you would like to honor Drake and help others fighting mental illness, please donate to: Transitions-Mental Health Association: www.t-mha.org