Paul John Passi

September 9, 1927 - April 16, 2018

Born in Chicago, IL to Joseph and Celia (Taglieri) Passi on September 9, 1927. He attended Fenger HS and graduated June 1945. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps Reserves in June 1945 and was discharged Feb. 1952 with the rank of sergeant (Ninth Marine Regiment). His tour of duty included Qingdao (Tsingtao), China and a drill instructor at Parris Island, SC. He attended many reunions of the China Marine Association. In March 1951 he married Lillian Baranski (died 1979) and the couple relocated to Canoga Park, CA in early 1952; their son, John Paul, was born July 1952 (died 1995). He received a degree in mechanical engineering from the Chicago Technical Institute and found employment with North American Aviation which evolved into Rocketdyne. He was involved with developing the Saturn rockets which were used for many space missions. Paul was a co-patent holder (March 2,1982) for a redesigned hydrofoil flywheel which was subsequently used for the Hong Kong-Macao ferry service. Paul died April 16, 2018. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Doris (Melavin) Passi and his sister Theresa (Passi) Caccese. He was and always will be the beloved uncle of Lisbeth, Sam (Kathy), Michael (Louise), and the late Christopher (Carol) Caccese; his great-nephews Nicholas, Tyler and Max Caccese and his great-niece Renna Caccese; nephews John F., James and John D. Baranski; niece Annette (Baranski) Wrabel; great-nephews Jason and Cameron Baranski.