Andrew J. (Drew) Ostroski, III
March 17, 1967 - January 25, 2020
Andrew J. (Drew) Ostroski, III age 52, of Newark, DE and formerly of Lewes, DE, passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2020.
Drew was born on March 17, 1967, in King of Prussia, PA but moved to Lewes, DE when he was very young. He considered himself a Delaware native and was proud of it. He was a 1985 graduate of Cape Henlopen High School where he played baseball and soccer. He majored in journalism at the University of Delaware where he met lifelong friends, worked as the Sports Editor of The Review, and eventually met Janell, the love of his life.
He had a long career in journalism in Delaware working for the Delaware State News and The Whale and, most recently, as Managing Editor for 17 years at Delaware Today Magazine, where he won numerous awards for his headline writing. He took pride in the fact that he knew more about Delaware than anyone else around. Drew will be terribly missed by his friends and family.
Drew loved his family more than anything else. He was immensely proud of his children and always told people his biggest accomplishment in life was helping to raise two smart, well-adjusted, successful children. He bragged about them to anyone who would listen. He had a passion for photography, especially taking pictures of Delaware wildlife. He shared this passion with Audrey and taught her to be an awesome photographer. He often boasted that she was better than him. He also had a passion for sports. He especially enjoyed watching Audrey and Jake play for their club soccer teams, for their Padua and Salesianum high school soccer teams, and for Canal Little League. He was a diehard Philly fan and shared this passion with Jake. He often boasted that Jake knew more about sports than he did, which was difficult for him to admit. He was extremely proud of his wife’s career and tireless work ethic. He enjoyed listening to old-school country music, watching Star Wars movies, and visiting Lewes.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Janell, of 24 years, and two children, Audrey and Jake, all of Newark, DE; his parents, Andy and Sharon Ostroski; his brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Loretta Ostroski; his niece and nephew, Sydney and Jackson Ostroski; his uncle and aunt, CJ and Ginny Rickards, all of Lewes, DE; and his cousin, Katie Rickards, and her wife, Jenn Harpel, and their son, Jason Harpel-Rickards, of Rehoboth Beach, DE; as well as numerous in-laws, nieces, and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 12 pm on Saturday, February 1, 2020, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, where a memorial service will begin at 12 pm. Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, the Ostroski family requests donations to two of the places Drew loved most:
Donations to Cape Henlopen State Park can be made here. Please mention Drew’s name in the comments section of the donation.
OR
Donations to Bombay Hook can be made by mailing a check, with his name in the memo, made payable to “Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge” to the visitor center at 2591 Whitehall Neck Road, Smyrna, DE 19977.
Erin Fink
Janell, Jake and Audrey,
We are so sorry to hear of Drew’s sudden passing. I remember him from all of Jake’s CTTCS activities, from the soccer field to Honor Society events…he was a proud dad. Our prayers are with you in this very difficult time.
Erin, John, Owen, Brendan and Molly Fink
Donna Schoenbeck
Rest in peace Drew. I remember you singing “I’ve got friends in low places”. But we all know you had friends in high places as well. We will miss you very much
Troy Brittingham
Drew was a great Classmate/friend.
We – along with Mark were Little League teammates.
Drew was always kind and I enjoyed our friendship.
He will be missed but NEVER Forgotten !
RIP My friend- u have touched many lives, including Mine …
Love ya “Man”
AnneFrati
Janell & children, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know I will keep your family in my prayers.
Rosie Press
Rest In Peace Drew! What a wonderful father and family man. My prayers and support are with Janell Audrey and Jake!
Dave Bonar
Drew was one of the best journalists I ever met. Reporters and editors have love/hate relationships but his and mine were definite love
I’m so very sorry to learn of his passing.
RIP my friend -O-
Laurie Anderson
So sorry to hear of Drew’s passing. Fond high school memories of Drew. Rest In Peace my friend.
Andy West
Janell, Audrey and Jake, I’m so, so sorry for your loss.
I know how much he loved you and how proud he was of all of your accomplishments.
He meant a lot to me and so many of us in the newspaper business — a great writer and editor. But, more importantly, he was a great friend.
The obituary beautifully sums up his life. I can’t imagine how many people are reminiscing about the laughs they shared with him. I’m going to miss him.
Loretta Young
My Thoughts and prayers are with the family. Hugs to you, Janell, Jake, and Audrey in this very difficult time.
Ton & Carol Garner
To Drew’s family: Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers
Diana Mingoia
Janell, Audrey and Jake,
I know this is a difficult time for your family!! I am sending you prayers and keeping you in my thoughts!
Most Sincerely,
Diana Mingoia
Lisa Monarski
Such a shock and tragic loss. My heart goes out to you all.
Ike Eisenhour
Super baseball Player for Cape and a great guy. Coach Ike
Trish Rickards-Dickerson
So many wonderful memories growing up. You always could make me laugh and that smile of yours lit up any room you were in. Janell, Audrey and Jake may God wrap his loving arms around all of you during this difficult time!!
Darrell O’Connor
I was so sorry to hear of Drew’s passing. I never met him but he interviewed me a couple of times for Delaware Today articles about sand sculpting. I remember an article called Rodins of Rehoboth where he took answers to questions I had been asked dozens of times and added a humorous twist.
Rest In Peace Drew
Maria Hess
A better headline writer there never was — and he knew it!
Gone way too soon. Rest in peace, my friend.
Prayers for Janell, Audrey and Jake.
Bridget Paverd
Condolences to all who loved Drew. His passion for sharing Delaware stories was eclipsed only by the love he had for his family. RIP Drew.
Charlotte Parson
Our deepest sympathy. I cant imagine your grief. I will always remember him with a camera in hand on the sidelines of baseball or soccer games. I hope our prayers provide an ounce of comfort. Please know that you are loved.
Charlotte, Josh, Jacob and Josie
Alli Viscardo
Rest in peace Mr. Drew. I’ll never forget watching Jake’s basketball game together and you handing me sour patch kids like a candy dispenser. I never knew someone liked sour patch kids as much as me. You will be greatly missed.
Naomi Rickards
Rest In piece Drew. I will never forget coming over to you house when you were younger and keeping Hank and Patricia laughing all the time. My prayers go out to your family. Love You.
Aunt Naomi Rickards
Brian Selander
For years, Drew Ostroski was the editor at the Delaware State News we’d have to call to beg for coverage of your candidate or Senator or whatever. “This is Drew….. Ah… (big sigh and exhale). Go ahead…”
He thought it was ridiculous. He knew you knew it was often ridiculous. He knew, as an editor, that real news mattered.
But he’d always let you in on the joke. He’d let you finish up with something like “well, that’s…. certainly groundbreaking stuff there…”
We talked less when he moved to Delaware Today where he didn’t have to listen to daily pitches, didn’t have to assign Joe or Ken or Drew or whatever young genius he had working for him a dozen stories a day and could really show how much he knew about the state he adopted as home and the state he loved so much.
He informed. He entertained. He made an impact. It’s so sad he’s gone.
Susan Brooks
Drew, I will always remember what a kind, sweet and funny person you were in high school! Always a smile on your face. May you Rest In Peace, my friend.
John Hughes
Teddy and I are deeply saddened to hear
of Drew’s passing. We knew Drew to be a
wonderful father and a pillar of his community. Our thoughts are with Janell, Jake and Audrey during this difficult time.
RIP Drew.
Michele L. Brown
To the Ostroski Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I went to high school with Drew. He was such a talented man and I enjoyed reading his articles. Please know you are in my prayers at this sad time.
Warmest regards,
Michele L. Brown
Faith Spiker
Janell,
I am so very sorry to learn about Drew’s death. He was so special. I remember him with love and his fun sense of humor.
May God bless you, Audrey and Jake and his entire family at this very sad and difficult time.
I will keep you in my prayers.
Love, Faith Spiker
Betsy Lowther
Drew was an editor at Delaware Today when I was a college intern there years ago. He was always so friendly, encouraging and funny—offering guidance on how to make my assignments better; treating me like an adult and peer, not an intern; just being all-around a really genial and generous guy. It was the start of my career, and he played a key part in getting me ready for the real world—and I know I’m not the only one who would say that. So sad to hear this news—my thoughts are with all of you.
TENUI NEC DIMITTAM
TENUI NEC DIMITTAM-I HAVE TAKEN HOLD AND WILL NOT LET GO-LATIN MOTTO OF SALESIANUM-SALLIES WILMINGTON DE.-SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO FAMILY-FRIENDS.
Stephanie Kirchner
Janell and Family,
Roy and I are so sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers.
Ruth Whitaker Gilbert
I had the pleasure of working with Drew only for a short time. He was very welcoming to me when I joined Today Media in a way that was kind and also funny. It was evident that he cared about his family, our state and his work. I am sorry that he is gone from our building and from this world. My condolences to his family who I enjoyed hearing about in almost all of our conversations.
Rich Trala
So sorry for your loss!!!! Thoughts and prayers sent to you and your family during this difficult time
Jackie Restucci Quigley
Drew graduated with my and my Husband Steve from Cape Henlopen High School. I worked with his Mother Sharon during my Senior Year interning at Shields Elementary School – she was a sweetheart of a teacher. Drew always had a big smile on his face and was a happy guy. So sorry to hear of Drew’s passing. God bless the Ostroski family during this most difficult time. Rest easy. Jackie and Steve Quigley
Emily Farley
My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. I’m so sorry for your loss. Drew will live on in many ways.
Beth Skinner
My family and I are sending prayers to the Ostroskis during this difficult time. My time working (literally back-to-back) with Drew at the old State News building will never be forgotten. Shew, I heard some interesting halves of conversations. I learned so much from him about newspapering and life in general. He was very clever at headlining, and I considered it a friendly challenge to best him at that. His family was his pride and joy, and when I started my own, he offered meaningful advice with funny anecdotes. Although we lost touch after going our separate ways, I am saddened by his passing. May he rest in peace with the some other State Newsers we lost too soon, Gene, Tom and Chris.
Lyndsey Cox
Drew was one of the people who interviewed me for my job at Delaware Today. In the time we worked there together, not a day went by when he didn’t have a kind word or funny story. He lit up when he talked about his kids and his wife and he shared stories about them often. He taught me so much while I worked at DT and I will remember him very fondly. My heart goes out to his family. May he rest in peace.
Lynn Peters
I am so sorry for your loss. Sending prayers to you and your family.
Shelly Webb-Lawrence
My condolences to the Ostroski family. I am heartbroken to hear of Drew’s passing. I considered Drew to be a friend to me from Mrs. Calloway’s 4th grade classroom. I remember that he was always kind and very much into sports. His obituary tells so much more about his life and his obvious love for his family. My prayers are with you at this difficult time. RIP Drew.
Dana Reynolds
I am so sorry to hear of this incredible loss. May Drew’s memory be a blessing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this very difficult time.
Donna Viscardo
I am so sorry about Drew’s passing. My your love and memories carry you through this difficult time…
Bill Wehrman
Janell and family, we’re so sorry for your loss and sad to lose a good colleague and friend too soon. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bill Wehrman, Today Media
Thomas Gay
Very sorry for the Ostroski family’s loss. Thoughts and Prayers from Sussex County.
Delarita Ford
Sending my deepest condolences for Drew’s family, friends and colleagues as I have the fondest of memories working with him in the newsroom while in Delaware. Sorry for the loss.
Dave Bonar
What a great journalist and teacher ! As a former colleague and journalist with Drew, I grew to respect and appreciate his knowledge and dedication. I’ll be forever in his debt for his inspiration and professionalism. As an aside, in later years, we’d have great conversations about Delaware and her people and I’ll cherish those forever
Norman Kennedy
So sorry Mark and Loretta for such a terrible loss our prayers r with you
Michelle Hartis
Janell and children, I am so very sorry for your loss. Keeping you and your entire family in my thoughts and prayers….
Lisa Robinson-Daniel
I am so sorry to hear of your passing, Drew. Such a great and talented person from Cape Henlopen, I enjoy reading your articles. My sincere condolences to your entire family and work families. RIP and God bless all of your family.
Cindy Small
What a tremendous loss, not only for his family and closest friends, but for all of Delaware. He was a joy and had an unforgettable smile. He was so talented, and taken way too soon. RIP, Drew.
Christine Parsells
Janell and family, I was so very sorry to hear of the passing of Drew. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Susan Moore Mross
I will miss your smile and the way you could make me laugh. I will always think of you as a big brother. Rest In Peace Drew, you will be deeply missed.
Peggy Dawson
Janell, Jake, Audrey,
We are so very sorry to hear of Drew’s passing. We loved spending time with you at Canal, always in the out field taking pictures, watching our boys. Please accept our deepest sympathy.
Pat Williams Jeffery
I know Drew only through his bylines, stories, UD Review history (I was at UD teaching in the English Dept. for part of that time, and as an Academic Advisor for the rest–from 1975 -2013), and his years at Delaware Today, where I am still an avid reader. I admire good writers and good people. Drew was both. A good man, a good writer, lost too soon.
PWJ
Barb Morris
Dear Janell,
My thoughts and prayers continue for Drew, Audrey, Jake, and you. I was hoping to be able to come to see you but unfortunately I can’t.
Kind regards,
Barb
Peggy Romett-Jones
I am so very sorry for your loss. Prayers are coming your way for you and the whole family.
Bo & Helen Rainey
So sorry to hear the news about Drew. We so enjoyed his company at the boy’s soccer games. Thankful for the many talks we had about Lewes. Bo was a teacher in Lewes, so they were able to go back and chat about old times & fishing ……Drew will be missed.He was a good man. 🙏
Linda Deaton
So sorry for your loss!! May God’s peace & comfort be with his family & friends!!
Karen and Mike Roberts
Janell, Audrey and Jake,
We were so sorry to hear about Drew’s passing. I ran into Drew over the summer and he was gushing with pride over Audrey and Jake’s successes. I can still see him standing out center field at Canal with a camera back in the days when the boys played little league. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Denise Blum
So sad to hear of Drew’s passing. I have fond memories of working with him at Delaware Today, as well as seeing him at CTT events. He always had a smile on his face. Such a nice guy. Gone way too soon. Janell, we are praying for you, Jake and Audrey.
Denise, Chris, Chase & Cassidy Blum
Stephen Stopyra
I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Rebecca Dougherty
Remembering a great guy and sending prayers, and love to family.
Joe and Becky Dougherty
Mary Ellen Harvey
Janell, Jake and Audrey:
So sorry for your loss. You and your family our in my prayers. RIP Drew.
Cierniak Family
So sorry to hear of Drew’s passing. Always a smile on his face, always proud of Audrey and Jake. He will be missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Gene, Inger, Jacob and Anders Cierniak
Kathy (Leyendecker) Hayes
Janell, Audrey & Jake,
So very sorry to hear of Drew’s passing. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Pat & Kathy Hayes
Edgar Adkins
May God bless the Ostroski family. I’m sorry for your loss. This too shall pass.
The Williams Family
Janell and Family- We are so sorry to hear of the sudden loss of Andrew and we hope you find comfort knowing that you have many friends and family praying and supporting you. Sending you peace and love–never lose sight of his light.
Fondly,
Steve and Karen Williams and family
Colleen Horsfield
So so sorry to hear of Drew’s passing. Lean on others for support and share memories of him everyday and he will never be far away. Take care!
Magoo and Colleen Horsfield
Lindsey, Mike, Parker, Nora and Savannah Humpal
Bill Horsfield
Elaine Wagner
Andy, Sharon my heart breaks for you. Please know I’ll be keeping all of the Ostrowski’s in my prayers. Thanks to whomever had the funeral directors post the video. Now, I want to cry even more.
Again, my deepest sympathy.
With love,
Elaine Wagner
Elaine Wagner
Peace to you Mom and Dad. Drew’s in heaven. We’ll all treasure the memories.
wayne conte
My son Hunter and I would like to offer Janell, Jake and Audrey our condolences for the passing of Drew. We knew Drew and his family from Little League Baseball at Canal in Bear DE. What a great person and family man he was to talk to at each game. He would tell me that he was blessed with a great family and how important that was to him. Drew was always kind and courteous to Hunter and I. Through baseball we meet and we are thankful for knowing him and seeing him with his camera taking pictures of his son Jake who he was so proud of for all his athletic great skills and talents.
Although we only knew each other briefly in life for a few years, we are thankful for his acquaintance and the warmth he gave this troubled world with his calmness and great values. We will miss you and keep your memories alive when we reflect back to our baseball days at Canal.
Wishing the Ostroski family the best in this difficult in their life. Wayne and Hunter Conte
Debbi Cammock
I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. The video in honor of Drew’s memory is very touching and definitely shows how much his family met to him. God Bless all of you.
Gina O’Brien
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and the whole family.
Scott Andrews
Drew was one of my first friends. I have great memories of playing a variety of sports in his neighborhood and riding our bikes to Lewes beach in the summer to hang out in front of the concession stand. I’ll always remember Drew as a fierce competitor, loyal friend, and ready to crack a joke. He will be missed.
Karen Martinelli
I had not known Drew for long but from the very first time we met he made me feel like family! What a kind and gentle man – gone way too soon. He spoke so highly of his family and seemed like an amazing dad. Rest in Peace Drew – you will always be remembered fondly by so many. Prayers to your loving family for peace and strength during this difficult time.
Mary Lou Dickson
Sharon and Andy, I’m so sorry to hear about Drew. I’ve been praying for u two, I know what it’s like to lose a Loved One. Mary Lou.
Jennifer Lester
So very sorry to hear this. Please know your in my prayers Ostroski family.
Cristela
You were always cheerful and so professional! I enjoyed your humor. Rest well Drew. ♥️