My Dad

ponch · 01-21-2008, 10:16 AM

I have been out of contact for the most part for the last few weeks. My dad fell and got a stroke, from which he got pneumonia and never recovered. I have been back and forth to NY from Iowa and I am back again for the funeral. My Dad, Anthony Lagnese, was born February 8, 1925 in Westbury NY, the 6th child to Italian immigrants. Dad left high school to join the Army Air Corps at the age of 18. He was a tail gunner in B-17 and flew 35 missions over Germany. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 bronze service stars. After the war, he worked for the County of Nassau as a Greenskeeper and did that job for 39 years. He married my mom, Florence See, in 1958, and had two sons, Anthony and James, as well as two stepdaughters, Florence and Patricia. Dad was a quiet and reserved guy. He rarely drank, never got into trouble, and lived a respectable life. He was my father and a great dad. I will miss my Saturday morning phone conversations with my Dad, his counsel, and his love. He was preceded in death by his wife Florence, and is survived by his sons and stepdaughters, 14 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and his wife Doris. I also want to add that Dad rode a Triumph Tiger back in the day, and if it weren't for that, I probably wouldn't be riding, so remember your influence. Thanks.
Jim

01-21-2008, 10:38 AM

Sorry to read about your dad passing...My dad passed away 10 yrs this year and I miss him still

Todd · 01-21-2008, 10:49 AM

Sorry to hear about your Dad's passing Ponch. He sounds like a great Dad and a hero for his service.

rlfaubion · 01-21-2008, 11:05 AM

Condolences Ponch.... May peace come to you soon. Thanks to your Father's sacrifice in life serving the rest of us.

dakals · 01-21-2008, 11:19 AM

I am so sorry to hear about your Dad passing. I lost my dad 17 years ago this October. My prayers go out to you and your family.

audiogooroo · 01-21-2008, 11:32 AM

Condolences. So sorry for your loss.

blowndodge · 01-21-2008, 11:40 AM

God bless you father for defending our freedom. He no doubt did that unselfishly and with pride! It sounds like he raised a very caring son. Thanks for sharing this ponch...

socwkbiker · 01-21-2008, 12:19 PM

I'm truly sorry for your loss Ponch. Sounds like he was a great man and father. Our prayers are with you and your family.

**ringadingh** · 01-21-2008, 12:26 PM

My Condolences; Sorry for your loss, Ponch.

jussmatt · 01-21-2008, 12:51 PM

Ponch... I'm sorry for your loss... Your Dad sounds like a great man who raised a proud son! He was a true Hero for his service to our country!!

basco · 01-21-2008, 04:27 PM

Sorry to hear that I know how you feel my dad passed away four months ago

01-21-2008, 08:29 PM

Fratello,
Accete le mie piu sincere condoglienze sul passare del tuo caro padre.

rflnomad · 01-21-2008, 08:44 PM

Sorry to hear about this, Ponch.
I have a B-17 model in the office; I am looking at the tail gunners area right now and think of your Dad and thanking him for his service. It took a BIG MAN to crew a Flying Fortress.
Again Ponch, My prayers to your entire family.

ponch · 01-22-2008, 09:01 AM

Thanks Nico. You would liked the old man. Now I am Mr. Lagnese.

Quote:

Fratello,
Accete le mie piu sincere condoglienze sul passare del tuo caro padre.

ponch · 01-22-2008, 09:05 AM

Dad didn't talk about it much. He just said in a plane there is no place to hide. It was also cold as hell. Some say his was the greatest generation and I agree, but I have to ask, what happened to us since then?

Quote:

Sorry to hear about this, Ponch.
I have a B-17 model in the office; I am looking at the tail gunners area right now and think of your Dad and thanking him for his service. It took a BIG MAN to crew a Flying Fortress.
Again Ponch, My prayers to your entire family.

01-21-2008, 10:16 AM	#1
ponch Sr. Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Way East Valley Posts: 12,017	My Dad I have been out of contact for the most part for the last few weeks. My dad fell and got a stroke, from which he got pneumonia and never recovered. I have been back and forth to NY from Iowa and I am back again for the funeral. My Dad, Anthony Lagnese, was born February 8, 1925 in Westbury NY, the 6th child to Italian immigrants. Dad left high school to join the Army Air Corps at the age of 18. He was a tail gunner in B-17 and flew 35 missions over Germany. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 bronze service stars. After the war, he worked for the County of Nassau as a Greenskeeper and did that job for 39 years. He married my mom, Florence See, in 1958, and had two sons, Anthony and James, as well as two stepdaughters, Florence and Patricia. Dad was a quiet and reserved guy. He rarely drank, never got into trouble, and lived a respectable life. He was my father and a great dad. I will miss my Saturday morning phone conversations with my Dad, his counsel, and his love. He was preceded in death by his wife Florence, and is survived by his sons and stepdaughters, 14 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and his wife Doris. I also want to add that Dad rode a Triumph Tiger back in the day, and if it weren't for that, I probably wouldn't be riding, so remember your influence. Thanks. Jim __________________ Ponch VBA 0019 VROC 8109-R BMWMOA 162849 BMWRA 41335 BMW: When you care enough to ride the very best. My Motorrad Blog My Motorrad YouTube 2009 BMW R1200RT Previous bikes:2007 Nomad \| 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic \| 1984 GPz750 \| 1978 KZ1000A2 Rallies: Custer '09\|Prairie Du Chien '10\|Crescent City '11

01-21-2008, 10:38 AM	#2
Guest Posts: n/a	My Dad Sorry to read about your dad passing...My dad passed away 10 yrs this year and I miss him still

01-21-2008, 10:49 AM	#3
Todd Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 5,915	My Dad Sorry to hear about your Dad's passing Ponch. He sounds like a great Dad and a hero for his service. __________________ Todd Frazier VBA #0003 VBA National Leader-USA Operations/Garage Moderator - RETIRED 2006 Black Nomad since she was born Greensboro, NC

01-21-2008, 11:05 AM	#4
rlfaubion Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,582	My Dad Condolences Ponch.... May peace come to you soon. Thanks to your Father's sacrifice in life serving the rest of us.

01-21-2008, 11:19 AM	#5
dakals Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Beloit,WI Posts: 4,256	My Dad I am so sorry to hear about your Dad passing. I lost my dad 17 years ago this October. My prayers go out to you and your family.

01-21-2008, 11:32 AM	#6
audiogooroo Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado/Las Vegas, NV Posts: 3,390	My Dad Condolences. So sorry for your loss. __________________ Audiogooroo - Daryl Porter Colorado Springs, CO VBA #248 VROC #17261 1999 Grn/Grn Nomad

01-21-2008, 11:40 AM	#7
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	My Dad God bless you father for defending our freedom. He no doubt did that unselfishly and with pride! It sounds like he raised a very caring son. Thanks for sharing this ponch... __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005

01-21-2008, 12:19 PM	#8
socwkbiker Top Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jefferson City, MO Posts: 6,272	My Dad I'm truly sorry for your loss Ponch. Sounds like he was a great man and father. Our prayers are with you and your family. __________________ Jeff Platz VBA #0002 VBA VP-Global B.A.C.A. Hoss 2005 "StrongBear" Black/Silver Todd and BD

01-21-2008, 12:26 PM	#9
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	My Dad My Condolences; Sorry for your loss, Ponch. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951

01-21-2008, 12:51 PM	#10
jussmatt Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Richmond, TX. Posts: 2,588	My Dad Ponch... I'm sorry for your loss... Your Dad sounds like a great man who raised a proud son! He was a true Hero for his service to our country!!

01-21-2008, 04:27 PM	#11
basco Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Taylor Tx Posts: 1,831	My Dad Sorry to hear that I know how you feel my dad passed away four months ago

01-21-2008, 08:29 PM	#12
Guest Posts: n/a	My Dad Fratello, Accete le mie piu sincere condoglienze sul passare del tuo caro padre.

01-21-2008, 08:44 PM	#13
rflnomad Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: PSL, Fla; Posts: 596	My Dad Sorry to hear about this, Ponch. I have a B-17 model in the office; I am looking at the tail gunners area right now and think of your Dad and thanking him for his service. It took a BIG MAN to crew a Flying Fortress. Again Ponch, My prayers to your entire family. __________________ 2005 Kawasaki Nomad, Black & Silver. 2006 Kawasaki KLR650, Lime Green! 2006 Ford F150 SuperCrew, 2WD, 4.6L; white & gold 1965 Pontiac GTO, 389 4 Speed. Bluemist Slate Cruising the back roads, that is living! Member #000033.

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