Louis S Drago

Louis S. Drago, 89, of the Parkside section of Pohatcong Township, NJ, died Tuesday, February 21, 2012 in St. Luke's Hospital, Fountain Hill, Pa.

Born January 28, 1923 in Phillipsburg, NJ, he was a son of the late Mauro and Carmella Anfusa Drago.

Louis was a brake inspector for the Lehigh Valley Penn Central Railroad, Phillipsburg for 38 years, retiring in 1974.

Louis married his sweetheart, the former Pauline Struk, whom he affectionately called, "Pinkey", on June 29, 1946. They were married for 45 years until her death in 1991. His family recalls the time their father painted the entire exterior of their home pink, in less than 8 hours, while their mother was at work, as a sign of his love for her.

He was a coxswain in the Navy during World War Two, and served in the Seabees from 1943-45. At the age of 17, he served with the Civilian Conservation Corp.

He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Alpha, NJ. He was also a member of the Young Men's Italian Club, Phillipsburg.

Survivors include two sons, Louis S., Jr, and Susan, of Lakewood, NY and Charles and Kristal of Manassas, VA; two daughters, Karen Norwood and Cliff and Pamela Riecke and Joe, both of Phillipsburg; a brother, Dominic and a sister, Mary Holjes, both of Phillipsburg; eight grandchildren, Kelly, Kaitlin, Madeline, Christopher and Matthew Drago, Tina Whitley, Stephanie Mackzo, Kevin Norwood and Joey Riecke; seven great-grandchildren, Mackenzie and Logan Mackzo, Dillon, Abbie, Cassie, Kennedy and Ella Whitley. A brother, Frank and a sister, Jennie Drago died earlier.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, in the Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home, 289 South Main Street, Phillipsburg. Services will begin 8:15 a.m., Friday, in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 9:00 a.m., in St. Mary Catholic Church, 830 Fifth Ave., Alpha, NJ. Entombment will be in the parish mausoleum.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the Phillipsburg Emergency Squad, PO Box 215, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865. Online condolences may be recorded at www.noto-wynkoop.com

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