Mr.
Joseph Anthony Raitano, Sr. passed
from this life Sunday evening,
January 28, 2007, in Galveston at
UTMB.
Born
May 18, 1934 in Galveston, Mr.
Raitano had been a resident of Santa
Fe for 35 years, previously of New
Orleans and Galveston. He had been
a member of Our Lady of Lourdes
Catholic Church for over 35 years
and had been very active in the
Parish.
An
ever-present role model, he had
worked as a high school coach at
Kirwin H.S. in Galveston, DeLaSalle
H.S. in New Orleans, Reicher H.S. in
Waco and Santa Fe H.S., where he
retired as the Athletic Director,
after influencing untold numbers of
young men and women throughout his
coaching career. After he retired
from coaching, he continued to
influence others with his calm
spirit, quiet demeanor and warm
smile at the Galveston County �
Beach Parks Board, and at Moody
Gardens, before he again retired,
this time from Galveston County Road
and Drainage Department Precinct 2.
He currently held the position of
Chairman of Commissioners of the
Galveston County Drainage District
#1 and was a member of the
University of Houston Alumni and
Letterman�s Club in addition to the
Texas High School Coach�s
Association.
Preceded in death by his
parents, John A. and Mary (Tombrella)
Raitano; his daughter, Rosanette
and his grandson, Joseph Scott
Longcoy, survivors include his
loving and devoted wife of 51
years, Margaret Ann Raitano;
daughters and sons-in-law, Laura
Jo and Wayne Longcoy of Lee�s
Summit, MO, Marianne and Tony
Ross of Sachse, TX; son, Joseph
A. Raitano, Jr. of Santa Fe;
brother, Johnny Raitano and
sister, Josephine Morris and
husband, J. P., all of Santa Fe;
grandchildren, Lauren, Jeffrey,
and David Longcoy, Devyn Raitano
and Christopher Ross;
brother-in-law, Matthew B.
Whelton and wife, Barbara;
sister-in-law, Jane Ratisseau
and husband, Sid; numerous
nieces, nephews and other
relatives.
A funeral mass will be celebrated
10:00 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of
Lourdes Catholic Church, Reverend
John Kappe, Celebrant. Interment
will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery
under the direction of Hayes Funeral
Home.
Casketbearers will be Steve Jamail,
James Morris, Todd Morris, Charles
Phinney, Earl Routh, Don Schattel,
Kevin Whelton and Mark Whelton.
Honorary bearers will be Eddie Janek,
Bryan Lamb, Anna Milligan and Earl
Hooper.
Visitation will be from 5:00 � 8:00
p.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of
Lourdes, with a Vigil service
beginning at 7:00 p.m. conducted by
Sister Mary Anne Hollmann.
Those
who wish to honor Mr. Raitano�s
memory may consider making memorials
in the form of donations to Our Lady
of Lourdes Catholic Church Building
Fund, or to the charity of your
choice.