
CARY – Roger Michael Passaglia, 59, of Cary, passed away Wednesday, April 28, 2010, in Irvine, Calif., from cardiac arrest.
He was born Jan. 14, 1951, in Chicago, to Roger Peter and Della Marie (Davini) Passaglia. He married Candace Heidenreich on Dec. 29, 1973, in Cary.
He and his high school sweetheart graduated from Cary-Grove High School in 1969. He was the captain of the football team, and married the captain of the cheerleading squad. They took the title of homecoming king and queen their senior year. Both attended Northern Illinois University, married in 1973 and continued their strong bond for 36 more years. Their marriage and devotion to one another was strong and incredibly important to their two children, Ryan and Shannon.
He was a dedicated sales manager for Edgar A. Weber Flavors for more than 20 years. He considered his co-workers his second family.
He was an amazing man, father, brother, friend and co-worker. He had the ability to build friendships whereever he went, touching many lives in his short 59 years. A man of integrity, grace and love, he had a deep passion for his family, golf and the Florida sun. He was a man of many roles, but his role as "Papa" to his three grandchildren, soon to be four, was incredibly precious to him.
Survivors include his wife, Candace; his children, Ryan (Amy) Passaglia of Cary and Shannon (Chris) Copeland of Burbank, Calif.; his grandchildren, Lauren and Derek Passaglia, and Christian Copeland; his mother, Della "Dolly" Passaglia; his grandmother, Elsie Passaglia; his siblings, Brenda (Mark) Walker of Cary, Joy (Larry) Nagorny of Cary, Peter (Liz) Passaglia of St. Charles and Paul (Lisa) Passaglia of Cary; and eight nieces and nephews, Zach, Christopher, Philip, Andrea, Amanda, Lindsay, Kevin and Kelsey.
He was preceded in death by his father, Roger Peter Passaglia; and his grandmother, Margie Davini.
The visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 5, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 410 N. First St., Cary. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 6, at the church.
Memorials may be made to FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), P.O. Box 373, Crystal Lake, IL 60039. The memo line should read "Roger Passaglia Memorial Fund."
For information, call Kahle-Moore Funeral Home at 847-639-3817 or visit
kahlemoore.com.