Memorial In Memory Of Bergen NYC Terror Attack Victim Created

NEW MILFORD, NJ — A memorial erected in memory of Darren Drake, a borough resident killed in a terrorist attack in 2017, will be unveiled Sunday.

The monument is located at Borough Hall, 930 River Road. The monument will be unveiled at 11 a.m., officials said.

Drake, 32, was killed in a terrorist attack while riding a bicycle on a New York City bike path on Manhattan's lower West Side on Oct. 31, 2017. A van allegedly driven by a Paterson man ran over Drake and others, killing him and seven other people and wounding others.

Drake graduated from New Milford High School in 2003. He earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Rutgers University's School of Arts and Sciences and a master's degree in Management Information Systems from Fairleigh Dickinson University, his obituary states.

Drake was former president of the New Milford Board of Education and a project manager for Moody's. He was in the process of earning a second master's degree from the Steven's Institute of Technology.

"A board member in high esteem, Darren was a good man with a soft touch and huge heart. He is respected for his unwavering commitment to the children of New Milford and their education," New Milford schools Superintendent Michael A. Polizzi said at the time of Drake's death.

The Darren Drake Memorial Fund, together with the Moody's Foundation, created a scholarship in Drake's memory. The inaugural $2,000 scholarship was awarded earlier this year to Christian Pavone.

Growing up, Drake developed an interest in the trade professions from his family. He had a close relationship with his maternal grandfather, who worked as a mechanic making cardboard boxes. His father worked as a client services professional with the U.S. Department of Labor's Comprehensive Employment and Training program, helping disadvantaged youth obtain jobs through training or on the job employment.

"The program will fulfill Darren's desire to provide an opportunity for students to receive a scholarship to enter the trade or technical professions," said James Drake, Darren's father. "They will be able to go to any accredited school of their choosing and pursue a career."

Related:

• 'Good Man With A Huge Heart': Friends Remember NYC Terror Victim
• New Milford School Board President Killed In NYC Terror Attack
• NYC Terror Latest: Suspect Charged With ISIS-Inspired Attack

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Darren Drake of New Milford (Photos courtesy of The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation)