Zachary Charles Douglas Drew

On Thursday, August 6th, 2026, Zachary Charles Douglas Drew passed away at the age of 41.

Zach lived a life defined by love, service, generosity, and quiet strength. He was a devoted husband, an extraordinary father, trusted friend, cherished family member, and compassionate leader who dedicated his life to helping others find hope.

Zach and Rachel spent twenty years growing alongside one another and building a life together. They married on December 31, 2010, and had two remarkable daughters, Liv and Casey. Zach loved his family deeply and unconditionally. His support and encouragement were constant, and nothing brought him greater joy than being a husband and father.

If you knew Zach, you knew what it felt like to be truly accepted. He had a gentle heart and a way of making people feel safe. He saw people for who they were rather than where they had been, offered encouragement without judgment, and believed in people when they struggled to believe in themselves.

Zach loved fitness, animals, and found peace creating beautiful outdoor spaces. He enjoyed afternoons around the poker table with close friends and had a dry sense of humour, always seeming to have the perfect sarcastic remark tucked away, usually appearing just when it was needed most.

Most of all, he treasured the ordinary moments spent with his family - reading, baking, playing video games, making music, bedtime snuggles, board games, dog walks, and simply being together. He adored his daughters and loved seeing so many of the best parts of himself reflected back through them

Zach's own journey through addiction and recovery profoundly shaped his life. He maintained his recovery, never forgot where he had come from, and used what he had lived through to help others find their own way forward.

Zach dedicated his career to walking with people through recovery. He worked as Director of the Teen Challenge Saskatchewan Men's Centre, and later led the design, development, and implementation of Teen Challenge Canada's National Ongoing Care Program. He knew that recovery does not end when treatment does, and what he created will continue supporting people and their families across Canada well beyond his lifetime.

For many years, Zach also carried burdens that most people never fully saw. After a long and deeply personal struggle with mental illness, he died peacefully at home.

The illness that claimed his life does not diminish the love he gave or the lives he changed. It reminds us that even those who spend their lives carrying hope for others sometimes need help carrying their own burdens.

Zach will be remembered for how deeply he loved, his kindness and generosity, his humour, his commitment to family, and his unwavering belief in the potential of others.

Zach's legacy lives on though his family, in the work he leaves behind, and in the countless lives made better simply because he was here.

Celebration of Life

Because Zach's life touched people far beyond our immediate community, we will host a Virtual Gathering of Memories for Zach on August 22nd at 2pm CST/MDT.

Anyone whose life was touched by Zach is invited to join from wherever you are to share a favourite memory. A story that makes you laugh, something Zach taught you, a moment of kindness, or simply what knowing him meant to you. Memories can be shared aloud or written in the chat, and photos and videos are warmly welcomed.

The gathering will be recorded and the memories collected will be made into a keepsake for his daughters, so throughout their lives they can return to the stories of their dad and be reminded of how deeply he was loved and how many lives he touched.

Register here

If you are unable to attend, you are welcome to share stories and memories here.

In Memory of Zach

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Zach's name to the Irene and Leslie Dubé Centre for Mental Health Endowment through the Royal University Hospital Foundation, supporting mental health care for people and families in our community.