Emil Ragusa

Emil Ragusa of Glenpool, OK, passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 29, 2021, at the age of 94.

Emil was born on the 27th of February 1927, in Streator, IL to Frank and SantaMaria (Russo) Ragusa. His parents immigrated from Italy to the United States, where they settled in Chicago. What they lacked financially, they made up with love and laughter with their six children. Emil was the youngest and received an abundance of love and learned a lot from his older siblings. He joined the military when he was 18 years old and fought during WWII. After completing his time in the military, he worked for GMC in Streator, IL before moving to Oklahoma in the 1980's. Once in Oklahoma he worked as a handy man, until he retired in 1990. After retiring, he decided that retirement wasn't for him. Emil took a part-time job at Dollar General in 1997, where he worked for another 12 years until he retired for good to spend time with Zoe. Throughout his life Emil had many hobbies, but his favorite was fishing. Any chance he got; he could be found fishing down at the river. As he got older, it became more of a challenge, but he continued talking about fishing until his passing. Emil would often grumble when his daughter or grandchildren would bring home another pet, but he had a very soft heart when it came to pets. He was reunited with his beloved golden retriever, Ladybug, that followed him everywhere. Most recently, he enjoyed playing with his grandkid's guinea pigs and making them squeak. Each family member has a special memory; River the dog, loved being rocked to sleep by her grandpa and will miss him very much, the boys remember the bullwhip and the girls were the apple of his eye, the kids loved to tease him or moon him, in turn, he would take their favorite poster or ball. He was so proud of each of them and how they grew into adulthood and did miss their company. Although Emil had a mean and stubborn streak and loved to start arguments with his daughter, he was a very special man. He always said what he was thinking, but he knew how to show love to those he cared for. Zoe and Kolton had 14 great years with their grandpa and were his everything, and he was always there for them. They never had the opportunity to meet their Grandma Kay, he made sure to make up for it. He missed the big family gatherings, but his passing has brought all his loved ones together again to honor the great man that he was.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kay Ragusa, children, Ricky Knickerbocker, Tim Knickerbocker and Steve Knickerbocker, parents, Frank and SantaMaria Ragusa, sister, Grace, brothers, Tony Ragusa, Charlie Ragusa, Frank Ragusa, Sam Ragusa, Joe Ragusa, and one grandson, Nick Weiss
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Emil is survived by his children, SantaMaria (Punnky) Bohn and husband Justin along with their children, Zoe, Kolton, Paige, Raylynne, and JT who shared their home with him for the last 14 years where they shared many laughs and at times drove each other crazy, Mark Ragusa and wife Antonia, Tracey White and husband Dansby, Dana Cosenza and husband Brian, Lonnie Kaminski, Robert Knickerbocker Jr., Diana Youngblood and husband Kevin, 23 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.

A public visitation is planned for Thursday, September 2, 2021, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Schaudt's Glenpool Funeral Chapel.

Graveside Services will be held on Friday, September 3, 2021, at 10:00 AM at Ft. Gibson National Cemetery, 1423 Cemetery Road, Fort Gibson, OK 74434.

Arrangements entrusted to Schaudt Funeral Service, 719 E. 141st Street, Glenpool, OK 74033. Family and friends may leave kind words and condolences at schaudtfuneralservice.com