Rosario P. 'Roe' Drago, Funeral Director, Dies

Rosario P. (Roe) Drago, former owner of the R.P. Drago Funeral Home, Astoria, died at his home in Naples, Florida on Tuesday, March 14. He was 73 years old. Drago had been diagnosed with melanoma some two weeks before his death.

Formerly a resident of Astoria and Bayville, Long Island, Drago was a licensed funeral director for 50 years. He owned the funeral home which still bears his name for 47 years.

"He was always concerned about serving the community properly," Louis Pillari, present owner of the funeral home, said. "He wouldn't sell the funeral home to a huge conglomerate-although he had offers from several of them. He approached me and asked me if I wanted to buy it so he could be certain it remained a family-owned business in the community." Pillari's parents are from Astoria and, like Drago, he maintains close ties to the community he serves.

Drago is survived by his wife, Dolores, his son, Joseph and daughter-in-law, Jane, his daughter, Carol Drago Wilson and son-in-law Kenny Wilson, his grandchildren, Paul, Mark, Joey and Caitlin, his brother, Joseph, and sister-in-law, Cepta, and nieces and nephews. He is also mourned by other relatives and many friends.

The family received visitors at the R.P. Drago Funeral Home, 43-10 30th Ave., Astoria, on Saturday, March 18 and Sunday, March 20. A funeral Mass was held at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Astoria, at 9:45 a.m. on Monday, March 20, followed by entombment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, New York.

The family has requested that donations to the Hospice of Naples, 1095 Whippoorwill La., Naples, Florida 34105 be made in lieu of flowers.

--Linda J. Wilson