The Hagberg Family: 2010

Monday, December 20, 2010

Our Loving Great Poppy

Poppy (Pasquale Rasile) passed away at home on December 17th at the age of 92.
Poppy lived a very long, healthy and vibrant life.
He had a love for family above all....his son & daughter, 5 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Poppy had an incredible work ethic. As a retired welder and a veteran of World War II - he was a gifted story teller and we'd listen for hours as he recalled tales of the Battle of the Bulge, working with the 317th Infantry Regiment in Europe.
Poppy had a gift for fixing things....he loved a good deal.....and frequently made trips to the flea market. He taught his 5 grandchildren how to make a mean Italian sauce......and they follow his recipe to this day.
But he was most proud of his 5 grandchildren. William was his first grandson and they shared a very special bond.
Poppy's face would just light up and he'd smile ear to ear just seeing William & James come into a room.

Poppy selflessly took care of Gram for years until she passed away 7 years ago. Over the last 7 years, he's been able to travel to Florida and Cape Cod often and enjoy some nice family getaways. Uncle Erikies just wished he could have come to Micronesia just one time!

I'm so glad our boys got to know Poppy - William for 4 years, and James for nearly 3.
We're better for having had him in our lives.....and were very blessed to have been loved so dearly by him. We'll miss him!!!