Ira Drescher's Obituary
Ira Drescher, 91, of Delray Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on Monday, July 6, 2026, after a battle with heart and kidney failure.
Born in the Bronx, New York, Ira graduated from Michigan State University and spent many years living in both Hollywood and Delray Beach, Florida. He will be remembered for his love for his family, his enthusiasm for travel, his devotion to the Miami Dolphins and the Miami Heat and, his passion for softball. He played the game for more than 60 years, remaining on the field until just months before his passing.
Ira will also be remembered for his gift of storytelling—especially his favorite story about playing halfback alongside Johnny Unitas while at the University of Louisville and attending the 1958 NFL Championship Game as Unitas’ guest—his remarkable collection of more than 75 senior track and field medals, and his memorable “Ira-isms,” including, “If you only make $1.00, you can’t spend $1.01,” and “Just throw strikes.” He also enjoyed competing in a nine-ball billiards league and volunteered for at the Delray Medical Center. He always had a story to tell or wisdom to impart, and he worked tirelessly advocating for matters that were important to him, such as Donnah’s Fund at Women in Distress of Broward County.
Ira was married to Grace (divorced after 27 years) and Sara Jane (34 years, who predeceased him). He is survived by his three children, Steve (Joan) Drescher, Barry Drescher, and Abby (Matthew) Maslow; his two step-children, Jenny (Steve) Levin and Michelle (JD) Hansen; his seven grandchildren, Stephan (Sara) Drescher, Molly (JT) Nash, Natalie (Bradley) Wood, Danielle Drescher, Krysten Drescher, Max Maslow, and Ian Maslow; his five step-grandchildren, Nathan and Dillon Hansen, Jordonna, Chase, and Brody Levin; his five great-grandchildren, Charlie and Sadie Nash, Wesley and Hollis Drescher, and Greyson Wood; as well as nieces and cousins.
A chapel service will be held on Friday, July 10, at 10:00 a.m. at Beth David Memorial Gardens, 3201 N. 72nd Avenue, Hollywood, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Donnah’s Fund at Women in Distress of Broward County in honor of his late stepdaughter Donnah. https://widbroward.org/donate/donnahs-fund/
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