| Graduation Year | Class of 1960 |
| Date of Passing | Aug 07, 2016 |
| About | Beloved wife and mother Darlene Tragis, of Fairbanks, passed away from complications related to COPD the morning of Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. She was 74 years old. Born May 21, 1942, in Lansing, Michigan, Darlene grew up in the state and met the love of her life, Jack Tragis, in Detroit. They married Feb. 23, 1963, in Haslett, Michigan. For their romantic honeymoon, they packed all their belongings and drove cross-country to begin married life in Portland, Oregon, and to work for the family bookbinding business. They rejoiced in the birth of their daughter, Tammy, and, soon after, decided to return to Detroit. Within five years of their wedding, Jack was commissioned as an Army second lieutenant, which began Darlene's additional role as a military spouse, along with a series of moves throughout the U.S. They set up households at Fort Sam Houston, Fort Hood, Fort Wolters and Fort Rucker. When Jack was sent to Vietnam, Darlene returned to Michigan to care for young Tammy. As Darlene lived independently, she began to hone the skills for which friends and family have so much respect. She quickly learned determination, focus and superior decision-making. She also embraced adventure and, post-Vietnam, she and Jack moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was there the couple celebrated the birth of their second child, John. An assignment to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, followed, then on to the University of Notre Dame, where Jack earned his graduate degree. In Indiana, Darlene rejoined the workforce as manager of the apparel and accessories department in the Notre Dame bookstore, where she was respected for creating calm amid the chaos of football weekends. When the family once again moved for a military assignment, this time to San Antonio, Texas, Darlene started working in the banking industry and quickly rose in rank to assistant vice president (AVP) of the loan department. Life changed forever, however, when Jack was sent to Fort Wainwright in July,1983. Arriving in their new hometown, Darlene was immediately hired by First National Bank of Fairbanks as AVP of Commercial loans and soon was immersed in community activities including serving as president of the Officers' Wives' Club at Fort Wainwright. She was valued for many talents, but her ability to galvanized groups to work for change was striking. When the city of Fairbanks water utilities were privatized, she went to work for the Utility Services of Alaska, contributing with the rapid expansion and the organization of the customer service department. Although Darlene would claim her greatest accomplishments were her 53-year marriage to Jack Tragis and raising their children, Tammy and John Tragis, Darlene was also well-known for her support of youth hockey. In 2004, Darlene was inducted into the Fairbanks Hockey Hall of Fame, recognizing her decades of work, including leading the effort to start the Arctic Lions and the NAHA Grizzlies hockey associations in 1991. Darlene was instrumental in bringing the 2005 USA hockey National U12 tier I tournament to Fairbanks for the first time ever. She also contributed to the creation of the Fairbanks Ice Dogs and was the organization's first treasurer. She was actively involved in game-day activities until her failing health prevented her from doing so. Darlene continued as treasurer and youth hockey coordinator for the Lions and Grizzlies, holding meetings at her home until shortly before her death. Her leadership had a positive impact on numerous hockey players, coaches, team managers and fans in Alaska's Interior and throughout the state. Darlene is survived by her husband, Jack; daughter, Tammy; son, John; grandsons , Ian and Scott; brother ,Richard; sisters, Charlene, Diane, Barbara, and Mary; son-in-law, Al McCook, and daughter-in-law, Tori Tragis. A funeral Mass for Darlene Tragis is scheduled at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Fairbanks. A Rite of Committal (burial) will follow at Birch Hill Cemetery. A celebration of life gathering will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24, at Pikes' Waterfront Lodge. Flowers may be sent to Sacred Heart Cathedral or memorial contributions made to KQHE 92.7 FM Catholic radio at www.kqhe.org |
