Lost a friend this week

[greg3852]

Had to lay to rest a great friend of mine who was more like a father/grandfather figure in my life.

Octavio "Tacky" Pragana was 16 when he enlisted in the Navy to fight in WW2. He was on the USS Canberra when it was torpedoed in the Pacific. He then went on to fight in Korea as well. After that, he joined the local police department where he worked from 1959 till 1988. He worked out at the gym every single day until just before his death. He was one hell of a guy and a best friend. He was 93 years old and still rode his Harley. He had the mouth of a sailor and we made sure we gave him poop every single day. He loved it though. He gave as good as he got. Rough week. It was the only funeral or wake I've been to since my Dad passed in 2013. Gonna miss him alot.

Him with his Harley.

Tacky with my key to my Lexus after he stole it. He then sent me this picture with his nub of a middle finger..lol

We went to Washington a few years ago.

 

[RedBull]

 

[Slowstang305]

Sorry to hear about that bud. He sounds like he lived one heck of a life!

 

[Bumblebee]

My condolences, he sounded like a person who lived a long life to it's fullest and that's something most of us could only wish for.

Be strong and remember all the good times you two had together, I believe immortality is the remembrance of someone by others.

 

[Mr Brown]

My thoughts are with you @greg3852 and others who loved Tacky. Seems like he enriched your life by being part of it, and for that I'm sure you are grateful. That middle picture tells me what kind of man he was, it made me smile big time! May his spirit live on in you and others he influenced.
Rest easy sailor, your duty is fulfilled.

 

[georgiabusa_05]

My condolences. He seemed like a heck of a guy and friend.

 

[sixpack577]

My Granfather, and wife's Grandad were both WW2 vets.
Definately "The Greatest Generation".
When men simply did whatever needed done, and thought nothing of it.
Sad to see that most of them are gone now.
I'm sorry you lost a friend, but am glad you had a friend of that character.
May God bless his family and friends.

 

[VIPER]

Sorry for your loss. It seems to me he led the life of a hero! My hats off to him and i wish him godspeed on his next great adventure!

 

[cwalker2]

My Condolences. Sounds like a great man to know.

 

[08BusaKY]

Sorry for your loss. At 61 he gives me hope I will be riding a long time!

 

[Twobrothersbusa]

Sorry for your loss, sounds like he led a full life.

 

[fallenarch]

What seems so sad is when these guys go you know there aren't replacements, one of a kind generation. Condolences

 

[ROADTOAD1340]

Yes , sorry for your loss bro .

 

[Tetsuo1000]

The greatest generation. Sorry about your friend.

 

[BigBSBusa]

Rest in peace, Tacky! Our thoughts and prayers to him, his family and Greg.

 

[c10]

 

[mabupa]

Sorry for your loss @greg3852. My condolences to you and the family.

 

[jeffgordons24]

Sorry it took me a bit to post to this, I usually don’t like posting on the emotional or personal threads until I can actually read and interpret what was posted.
I can tell that tacky was one of those guys that no matter the day your having could make you laugh till you cried. Who prob even in his old age had a punch that would leave you asking WTF? After he socks you one jokeingly. It’s these men who enlighten us on the “good old days” and you can picture their lives and what they experienced. I’m sorry that you lost someone close and special to you Greg. We are all here for you

 

[Lodi]

Agreed, can be tough to know what to say about such a personal loss. Sounds like a good old codger with a lot of history and a personality that made him fun to have in your life. My condolences.

 

[GIXERHP]

My Condolence Greg, sorry to hear