Adolf J. “Junior” Dreher, Jr, 82, of Sandy Hook, died peacefully December 22. He was born in Mount Vernon, N.Y., June 11, 1936, to Anna (Auer) and Adolf Dreher, Sr. He was a resident of Sandy Hook for almost 50 years.

His wife of 61 years, Elinor (McCoy) Dreher; his children, James Dreher of Watertown, Dorothy and David Blasko of Naugatuck, Debora Dreher of Sandy Hook, and Alan Dreher of Las Vegas, Nev.; his two granddaughters, Denise Lucente and Erica Blasko; a cousin; and several nieces and nephews survive him.

As a child, during the summer weekends, his parents would take him to Sandy Hook to enjoy swimming and boating on Lake Zoar. He attended Mount St Michael’s Academy in the Bronx, N.Y., where he traveled to numerous locations with the school band playing the bass violin. He was also a student manager for the school football team.

Mr Dreher was a proud first generation American and was active for many years in the Steuben Society of America in New Rochelle, N.Y.

He served his country for six years in the US Army as a specialist in the 101st Signal Battalion in Yonkers, N.Y. He continued as a standby for two more years in the US Army National Guard in the 824th Signal Corps in Fort Dix, N.J.

Mr Dreher worked as a mechanic alongside his father “Pop” in Mount Vernon, N.Y. In 1969, he moved his family to Sandy Hook, where he and his father opened their business, Sandy Hook Automotive and Marine Corp, where they found success serving and helping residents of the area with their automobiles. He retired in 2007.

He enjoyed sports and was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and New York Giants. He loved boating and old cars. He knew the year, make, and model of an older car just by looking at it. He got great pleasure in restoring them — most importantly, his 1971 GTO with his son, Alan.

Mr Dreher was a parishioner at St Rose of Lima Church and was a Knights of Columbus member with the St Virgilius Council 185 for many years. In 1997, he was honored to receive the distinction of being named “Knight of the Year.” One of his favorite tasks as a Knight was making the fried dough at the St Rose Carnival every year. He loved seeing smiles on people’s faces, making them laugh, and generally helping anyone with whatever he could. He loved his family unconditionally and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Calling hours will be Sunday, December 30, from 1 to 4 pm, at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, December 31, at 10:30 am, in St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown. Cremation will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that friends consider a donation be made to help with Mr Dreher’s funeral expenses at gofundme.com.