Obituary of Eduardo Parga

Eduardo Parga, 94, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2017, at the home of his son and daughter-in law in Glenville, New York, where he had been living since December of 2012.

Eduardo was born on February 28, 1923 in Pazos, Spain.  The son of Eduardo Parga and Marcelina Canle Parga, he was raised and educated in Spain.  His wife Maria preceded him to the U.S. In 1948, while he was in Cuba playing professional soccer. In April of 1948 their son, Eduardo Parga was born in the New York City borough of Manhattan.  Eduardo continued to play professional soccer for a number of years after his immigration to America, which included a series of 15 televised games played in Yankee Stadium. One memorable highlight of that series of games was a goal he scored, while his young son watched on television.

After Eduardo's career in soccer ended, he began working in the restaurant business, where he learned the business from the ground up by performing all the various jobs. Eventually, Eduardo became the owner and operator of “Eddie's Chateau Cervantes Restaurant”, located at the corner of 13th street and Greenwich Avenue in Manhattan's West Village. Eduardo prided himself on appearance and customer interaction. His favorite expression was telling guests and friends that everything was “Fantabulous”, a word which he said was better than fantastic and fabulous and which he claimed he invented in 1954. The restaurants signature dish and “House Special” was Paella Valenciana with lobster.  He operated this successful business for 17 years and was written up in the Village Voice newspaper as a place to go in for excellent Spanish American cuisine. Some of the noted guests included the actresses Eve Marie Saint and Betsy Palmer, also champion boxer Jose Torres and entertainer Tiny Tim.

He was also extremely proud of being a naturalized American citizen and that his two children were born in America and that he was able to help put them through college.

In his retirement and later years Eduardo enjoyed playing golf with his son and grandson Ed as well as going for walks, going out to dinner at area restaurants and meeting and talking to anyone.

Eduardo was predeceased by his parents, his beloved wife, Maria Varela Parga and his daughter, Maria Isabel Ruggero.

Survivors include his son, Eduardo and wife Judith Parga of Glenville, grandsons, Eduardo and wife Kara Parga of Watervliet, William Parga of Pasadena, California, Joseph and wife Gabriela Ruggero of Long Beach, Long Island and Christopher Ruggero of Brooklyn. Eduardo also leaves behind his son-in-law, Joseph Ruggero and several nieces and nephews located in Spain and Argentina.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend prayer services Sunday (June 25) at 4 PM in the Glenville Funeral Home, 9 Glenridge Rd. Glenville NY.  A calling period will precede the service on Sunday from 2-4 PM.

Donations to the American Cancer Society in Eduardo's name are appreciated.  Burial will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery in Kew Gardens, New York on Monday, June 26 at 11 AM.