Mr. Joseph William Drago Sr.

Joseph William Drago, Sr., age 90, of Strongsville, Ohio, beloved husband of Darleen Price Drago (nee Moore), and the late Anna R. Drago (nee Wopershall) who passed away in 1990; loving father of Joseph W. Drago, Jr. (Rita) of Strongsville, Ohio, Bill Drago (Peggy) of Parma, Ohio, and Eldie Antenuce (Rick) of North Canton, Ohio, and step-father of Darla Nagy (Pete), Wendy Suherstedt (Eric), and Connie Kawiecki (Doug); dear grandfather of Michael Drago (Rayna), Jodi Fulkerson (Chris), Angela Urbach (Ralf), Brian Drago, Kevin Drago, Chriss Thomas, and step-grandfather of Jason Nagy (Lauren), Andy Nagy, Benjamin Suherstedt, and Alanna, Colton and Madison Kawiecki; great-grandfather of Mason, Sienna, Reese, Rowan, Justin, and Alicia; dear brother of the late Marie Drago Ortalani (Monday, deceased) and the late Orlando Drago (Eleanor). Mr. Drago was a decorated United States Army 101st Airborne Division veteran of World War II, having served throughout Europe, participating in the D-Day invasion at Normandy, and battles through Northern France, the Rhineland, the Ardennes and Bastogne. One of Joe's more memorable moments in his service to his country was meeting and speaking with General Dwight D. Eisenhower as he departed Bastogne following combat there. He was a retired tool & die maker, having worked for the A.W. Hecker Co., Ford Motor Company, and General Electric, from where he retired at Nela Park in Cleveland. Joe was an avid Corvette enthusiast and greatly enjoyed driving and showing his beloved "Vette." He passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at the Southwest General Health Center in Middleburg Heights, Ohio. Although flowers are appreciated, the family suggests that you take someone you love to dinner. Funeral service to be held Monday, July 1, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. at the Strongsville United Methodist Church, 13500 Royalton Road (Route 82 at Webster Road), Strongsville, Ohio 44136. Rev. T. Christopher Liberati of Strongsville United Methodist Church, and Rev. Joseph R. Mamich of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Strongsville, will officiate. Interment with United States Army honors will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Brook Park, Ohio. The family will receive friends at the BUSCH FUNERAL HOME, 7501 Ridge Road, Parma, from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Sunday, June 30, 2013. BUSCH FUNERAL and CREMATORY SERVICES 440-842-7800 www.buschcares.com