Edward “Dale” Parraghi

Edward “Dale” Parraghi, 73, of Floral City, Florida died peacefully at his home on April 24, 2022, surrounded by his family and friends. Dale was born on February 22, 1949 in Detroit, Michigan. After graduating from Cros-Lex Highschool in 1967, Dale started a tinsmith apprenticeship at Grand Trunk Railroad, where he worked until his retirement. During the same time, he farmed and built street rods as his hobbies. In 2003, after losing his street rod shop in Michigan to a fire, he rebuilt his shop at his home in Florida. Once fully retired, he began to build street rods most of the time. He had a passion for building cars and also fabricated parts for airboats. He enjoyed spending time with his friends, who called him “Woody,” and many of whom were from childhood, airboating, traveling to car shows in their street rods, working in his yard, and pontoon boating. He also enjoyed traveling the country in his fifth wheel, using only the backroads. He was a big fan of John Deere tractors. His last major project was last winter, when he built a John Deere backhoe from scratch. Dale was a man with many interests and a brilliant mind. He was always tinkering or building in his shop. He had a very close network of neighbors who would often stop by to see his latest project. Dale owned a backhoe and was always eager to use it to tear down a building or dig a hole. His favorite food was McDonald’s and he declared their burger the best in the country. He single handedly created a trend of eating un-salted french fries from “Mickey D’s” or “The D” as he fondly called it. He is preceded in death by his father Edward G. Parraghi. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie (Skaggs) Parraghi, mother, Beulah Parraghi, his brothers Lyle Parraghi, Bruce (Delaine) Parraghi, his children, Anna (Danny) Zeller, Ben (Kim) Parraghi, Ryan (Margot) Parraghi, Jennifer (David) Portero and Mike (Chanda) Wall, his grandchildren Shane, Kaitlyn and Allyson Zeller, Wyatt, Paris and Weston Parraghi, Ryan, Dylan, Maya and Lauryl Parraghi, Brett and Beverly Portero, Luke and Cole Wall and his great-grandchildren Adam and Aliza Zeller and, soon to be born, Seth Michael. Catholic Prayer Services are scheduled for Thursday, April 28, 2022 at 11:00 AM from the Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home of Inverness, Fl. The Rev. Fr. Tim Cummings, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish will officiate. Interment will follow in Hills of Rest Cemetery, Floral City, Fl. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 AM until services begin. A Memorial Mass will be held in Michigan on Monday, June 27, at 11:00 AM, at St. Edward on the Lake Catholic Church, Lakeport, Michigan with a Celebration of Life to follow.