Obituary of Bernard P. Rasha
Bernard “Cook” P. Rasha, age 91, of the Town of Lee, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2023, at the Grand at Utica.
Bernard was born in Lee Center on September 20, 1931, the youngest son of the late Earl and Ella Russell Rasha. At the age of two, he was given the nickname “Cook” by his two brothers, Harlow and Kenneth, and it was his preferred name for the rest of his life. He was educated in the Lee Center School and graduated from the Rome Trade School in 1949. On April 12, 1952, he was united in marriage to Joyce Neiss; a blessed union of nearly 34 years until her passing in January of 1986. He also had a long, love-filled relationship with Donna Bowen until her passing in July of 2021. He worked for Kent Co. for 21 years and then Rome Turney Radiator until his retirement in 1993.
Cook was a talented fiddle player and made many close friends through music.
He is survived by his daughter, Barbara (Edward Witek) Grago; his two sons, Daniel (Marlene) Rasha, and Stephen Rasha; three grandsons; two granddaughters; five great grandchildren; and a niece and two nephews. He was predeceased by his two brothers, Harlow and Kenneth Rasha.
Funeral services will be private.
Burial will be in Lee Valley Cemetery in the spring.
