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Robert Joseph Drago
<p>Robert Joseph Drago, age 87 of Hamburg, NY entered into rest November 21, 2022 after a brief period of declining health. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robert devoted his life to the food industry where he was still active until late 2021. After college he served as a Captain in the US Army Reserves while embarking on his professional career. With his brother Franklin he was the second generation of his family to run Bison Canning Company Inc. in Angola, NY, and continued on as president of that division after the sale of Bison to Goya Foods. He was an accomplished inventor and innovator who held several patents on food processing machinery that can be found today in the world’s leading food manufacturing facilities. An active community volunteer, he was an Emeritus Trustee of Hilbert College and served on the College Council of Alfred State College where his dedicated service was recognized with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree in 2019. He proudly served as a mentor to many college students and young food industry professionals, taking particular joy in sharing his six decades of knowledge and experience with emerging young leaders. He was also a longtime member of SS Peter and Paul Church and Wanakah Country Club in Hamburg, NY for over 50 years. Robert was the loving husband of Doris (Bonadio) Drago; father of Robert (Annmarie) Drago, and Dina (Marcus) Sheward; devoted Grampy to Andrew, Alexander, Matthew, and Jack Drago, and Elena Sheward; son of the late Joseph and Mary (Ross) Drago; brother of the late Franklin (Marilyn) Drago, the late Carolyn (late Richard) McDonald, and the late Lenore (James) Seeley; brother-in-law of the late Nancy (late Nicholas) Gentile and the late Louis Bonadio; and “Uncle Bobby” to many nieces and nephews. Burial services will be private. A memorial service and reception will be planned by the family at a later date. Memorial contributions in Robert’s honor (Class of 1956) can be made to the University of Notre Dame at giving.nd.edu. </p>December 2, 1934 - November 21, 202212/02/193411/21/2022
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Robert Joseph Drago
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