Obituary of Victor Dragan

Victor Dragan, 87, of Beach Park, IL died on February 8, 2017 at Highland Park Hospital in Highland Park, IL. Victor was born March 9, 1929 in Golesti, Romania. He lived in Golesti, Romania, Resita Romania, and Timisoara, Romania before moving to this country in 1980, living in Denver, CO from 1980 to 1984, and Chicago, IL from 1984 to 1992, before settling in Beach Park, IL in 1992. In Romania he was trained and worked as a Horticulturist Engineer. In this country he worked at Lowry AFB in Denver, CO, Cast Products Co. in Chicago, IL and Jewel-Osco in Zion, IL. On June 25, 1960 he married Emilia Dragan (nee Oprea) in Timisoara, Romania. Victor was a supporter of Fraternal Order of Police and was a member of Local 881 UFCW. Victor was a devoted husband and father who adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed nature, landscaping, and loved gardening. His garden was his passion, meticulously attended to, with crops which were copious year after year. All the vegetables from his beautiful garden provided wonderful fresh produce for the family year-round, and since he tended to his garden with so much love and care, the garden gave back so much more than the family could ever consume. Given his generous, big, loving heart, Victor delighted in being able to share loads of “fresh out of the garden” vegetables with neighbors, friends, and co-workers. Victor’s other passion was his car and driving. He spent countless hours maintaining and caring for his car and he was always ready and willing to give anyone a ride whenever and wherever they needed it, no matter the distance or time of day. He was never too tired or too busy to give his grandchildren a ride to and from school, he actually looked forward to doing that every day for many years. He was always so proud of his grandkids and great-grandkids and that was so apparent when they would show up at Jewel where he worked. His eyes were smiling and he would proudly introduce them to all his colleagues. Survivors include his wife Emilia Dragan; daughter Mirela (William) Ragar of Beach Park, IL; five grandchildren Michelle Jensen of Denmark, Jason Ragar of Washington, D.C., Emily Ragar of Hudsonville, MI, Sarah Ragar of Beach Park, IL, and Sean Ragar of Beach Park, IL; six great-grandchildren Angela, Alannah, Audrey, Aidan, Alexander, and Alaric; one brother George Dragan of Aurora, CO; nephew Pastor Michael Dragan of Highlands Ranch, CO; and niece Tammie Dragan Blake of Telluride, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents Ion Dragan and Paraschiva Vilcu; his oldest brother Ion (Nica) Dragan and youngest brother Tudor (Tica) Dragan; his sister Constantina (Silica) Dobrin; and grandson Ryan J. Ragar. Services will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2017, at Waukegan First Church Of The Nazarene, 3132 McAree Road, Waukegan, IL, with visitation from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. followed by a funeral at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Michael Dragan, his nephew, officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion, IL.