Joseph James Raccuia's Obituary
Joseph James Raccuia (83) passed away January 16, 2018 after a short battle with lung cancer. He was surrounded by his wife and children and died peacefully at home where we know he was welcomed by his parents and siblings on the other side.
He was born July 3, 1934 to Pietro Raccuia and Maria Stella Mondello in Norwich, New York.
He joined the United States Air Force in 1953 and served in Korea, Vietnam, Guam, Japan, Germany and “every other country in the world except Russia”. He met his sweetheart, Linda Carol Stoddard, while serving at Hill Air Force Base and they were married on November 20, 1964. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple with their children on November 20, 1997.
He was finally stationed in Alaska in 1969 and retired from the military in 1975 after 22 years of service. His family continued to live in Alaska until 1983 where they enjoyed the Alaskan outdoors and loved hunting, fishing and camping together. He also introduced his children to his lifelong passion of bowling. He was a member of the Anchorage Bowling Association All City Team. Over his lifetime he bowled three perfect games and his high series was 775. He maintained a near 200 average until just a few years ago. He rarely missed a National Bowling Tournament and enjoyed bowling on leagues with his sons and other friends. He stopped bowling only after starting his treatments for cancer a few months ago. Not being able to bowl was his biggest frustration with the cancer.
Joe continued to camp, hunt and fish with his family after moving back to Utah in 1983 and never missed a family reunion where he was always standing behind the grill cooking sausages and eating them as fast as they were done, as well as sneaking some to the dogs. He also made it a habit to fall in the water each time he was fishing, which became a cherished family joke. He patiently passed his love of the outdoors to his grandchildren and many treasured memories were made with Grandpa Raccuia and tangled fishing lines and lost worms.
Joe was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings. The calling he enjoyed most was serving a mission with his sweetheart at the Church Genealogy Library for 28 months.
Joe was kind, loving and generous to everyone he met. He welcomed anyone who passed by to join the family and was always striving to make sure that everyone around him was happy and had everything they needed. He loved his family deeply and it was felt by all of us. He never missed an activity of his children or grandchildren, no matter how big or small the event might be.
Joe had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and his family was especially privileged to have him share it with all of them the night before his death at Family Home Evening.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Carol Stoddard, and his three children and their spouses: Thomas (Brenda Sue) Raccuia, Terri Jo Schreiter (Lorin Doyle) and Timothy Pete (Brenda Lynne) Raccuia and 12 grandchildren: Emily Sue, Rachel Lynde (Dallin Norman) Dragon, Heidi Jo, Meredith Louise, and Joseph Thomas Raccuia, Jacob Bruno and Zachary Joseph Schreiter, Elizabeth Lynne, Benjamin James, Emma Marie, and Rebecca Kathleen Raccuia. He is also survived by his sisters, Kathleen (Frank) Centro of Oneida, NY, Ninett (Anthony) Singe of Saratoga Springs, NY and Anna (Daniel) Bruno of Manhattan, NY
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, Joseph (his namesake), Michael and Peter.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, Jan. 21 from 6:30 – 8:30pm and again Monday, Jan 22 from 9:30-10:45am at the LDS Center Ward Bldg. 868 N Starcrest Dr (1850 W), SLC, Utah. Funeral Services will follow the viewing at 11:00am – 12:00pm with burial following in the Bountiful City Cemetery.
We look forward to being with Grandpa Raccuia again and will always remember his example of love.
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