Carl Anthony Passiglia, 93, of Vero Beach, passed away on Feb. 29, 2016, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He is survived by his wife Carole; daughters Penny Passiglia Crimmins (Mike), and Mary Ellen Passiglia Thomas (Greg); grandchildren Casey Crimmins, Meghan Crimmins Davis (Derek), Matthew Thomas, and Stephen Thomas; extended family: Mark Waters, Elizabeth Waters Chapman (Steve), Carolyn Waters Ciganik (Ron); and grandchildren Steven Chapman (Stephanie), William Chapman, Margaret Chapman, Jack Chapman, Christopher Ciganik and Hunter Ciganik.
Passiglia led a healthy and active life playing tennis until the age of 90, and remarkably was fortunate to have no health issues until his battle with cancer began in July.
He was well-loved and positively impacted all that knew him. He spent his career teaching and inspiring young people. Born in Kansas City, Mo., on May 7, 1922, and a USAF vet, upon his graduation from the University of Florida he began his career as an educator in Wildwood, Fla., where he met and married his wife of 30 years, Duchess Basil Marcus (deceased in 1979).
Passiglia taught and coached at Naval Air, and at Fort Lauderdale High School in the 1950’s. He was the dean at Deerfield Middle School in the 1960’s before returning to Fort Lauderdale High School as Asst. Principal and Dean, and retired in 1983.
He met Carole Waters at Second Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, and they were married for 28 years, with residence split between Vero Beach and Boone, N.C. He was an active member and leader in their churches and residence associations in both Vero and Boone.
Funeral services will be held in Vero Beach at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 10, at Strunk Funeral Home. In Fort Lauderdale a graveside service on Friday, March 11, at 2 p.m., at Lauderdale Memorial Park Cemetery located at 2001 SW 4th Ave. Following the service there will be a Celebration of Life gathering nearby, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. For details contact Mary Ellen at met320@bellsouth.net.
