Patricia J Drago

Patricia J. (Diroll) Drago, 83, of Ravenna passed away on Monday, September 28th following a period of declining health. She was born on January 14, 1943, in Sharon, PA, the second of Harry and June (Leyshon) Diroll’s ten children. Patricia “Pat” was raised in Windham in a house that her dad, uncles, and she helped build. A self-professed tomboy she enjoyed playing baseball and roller skating with the neighborhood kids and her siblings. She attended Windham Schools where she was a cheerleader, graduating in 1961. Following graduation, she attended Kent State University for a short time while continuing to work at the A & P grocery store. Pat met her future husband, John, at a dance in Newton Falls in 1963. They were married on April 11,1964 and settled into life on S. Chestnut St. in Ravenna as they welcomed four children. She was very active with the children at Tappan school, serving on the PTA and also as a room mother. Pat loved her children fiercely but was known to dish out some wooden spoon discipline.

In 1975, the family moved to the house in the fairgrounds that continues to be the gathering place for the large Drago family. As the kids got older, Pat found time to participate in the ladies’ golf leagues at Kent State University and Chestnut Hills. She enjoyed bowling with her husband and friends on the Sunday afternoon Italian American Club mixed league. To say that she was a talented seamstress is an understatement. She made some of her children’s clothes, endless Halloween costumes, as well as bridesmaids and wedding dresses for many years. She enjoyed baking and always had something ready in the kitchen for anyone that dropped in. She passed her love of baking onto her grandchildren.

She was a regular at Reed Memorial Library for many years, checking out piles of books each week. She liked to stay up late into the night reading. Later in life, she took an interest in art and became a very skilled painter. Pat and John enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas and Florida. They went on many trips sponsored by Famous Plumbing Supply. Pat shared a special bond with her sisters and spent many late evenings around the Diroll table playing cards and laughing. The girls also went on some very memorable trips together.

Most of all, Pat was a wonderful mother and grandmother, delighted with the many accomplishments of her family. She was overjoyed to become a great-grandmother to Thomas in 2023. Pat is survived by her children, John Drago III, Susan (Nick) Mascio, Steve Drago, and Anthony (Telsa Croop) Drago. Grandchildren, Tori, Emily, Jack, Anna, Erica, David, Mia, Giada, Audrey, Jenna, Olivia, Gino, and great grandchild Thomas.

Also surviving are her siblings Kathy Diroll, Marylou Fye, Donna (Pat) Tresino, Richard (Raelene) Diroll, and June (Danny) Gallini), sister-in-law Sherri Diroll, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband John in 2021, and siblings Carol, Paul, Tom, and Mark. The family would like to give a special thank you to Kelli D. for her excellent care and friendship over the past few years.

Cremation has taken place. Calling hours will be held on Monday, November 23rd from 5 pm -7 pm with a memorial service at 7 pm at the Shorts Spicer Crislip Funeral Homes Ravenna Chapel. Please visit www.sscfuneralhomes.com to offer a condolence, share a memory or light a candle. In Lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Reed Memorial Library Foundation PO Box 788 Ravenna, OH 44266.