Blaine Sprague

Blaine “Pat” Sprague died peacefully on January 1, 2009 at the University of Utah Hospital following a seven week illness. Pat had been living in Park City, Utah for the past 10 years and loved his high mountain home and the clean and clear air of Park City. He was formerly a lifelong resident of Elyria, Ohio where he was born on March 17, 1922 and graduated from Elyria High School in 1939. Pat will be remembered by all who knew him as a gentle, friendly and helpful person who had a smile and wave for everyone. He was proud of his five years of military service in WWII in the Army Air Corp flying 85 combat missions between India and China over the Himalayan Mountains, known most famously during the war as the “Hump”, as a radio man and waist-gunner. For this service he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, The Air Medal and three bronze battle stars, among others.  He also spoke frequently of his 35 years with the US postal service in Elyria and the many friends he made on his route and among his co-workers. Pat’s greatest love was his wife of 50 years, Rita, the mother of their four children, who passed away in 1996. Pat was a man who knew what he wanted and lived it with a loving extended family, neighbors, co-workers and friends.  He was also active in American Legion Post 12 and cherished the friendships he had there. He is survived by four children Dan (Holly) Sprague of Columbus, Ohio, Sheila (David) Gardner and Steve Sprague both of Park City, Utah, Molly (David) Switzer of Salt Lake City;  brother Dale, of Elyria, Ohio;  4 grandchildren Nicholas, Tracy, Matthew, and Kayleigh; and 2 great grandchildren Andrew and Olivia.   A Memorial Service by the American Legion Post 12, of which he was an active member, will begin on Tuesday January 6^th at 7:00 PM at Reichlin-Roberts Funeral Home where calling hours will continue until 9:00 PM.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday January 7^th at 10:00 AM at St. Jude’s Church. Interment to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.