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Nathan M. Ragan "Nate"
Nathan M. Ragan died December 25th at home surrounded by his family. Born in Port Deposit, Maryland on May 7, 1924 to R. Leslie and Marjorie Ragan, he grew up in Claymont, Delaware and graduated from Claymont High School in 1942.
At 18, Nate enlisted in the Army Air Corp during World War II and served in the European Theatre of Operations as a radio operator and top-turret gunner aboard the B-24 Liberator. He went on to serve a second tour of duty in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. After WWII, he joined the Delaware Air National Guard, and continued to serve his country, including active duty during the Korean War. He retired from the Air Force in 1984. During his service he received 16 medals including four distinguished Air Force Air Medals and three Presidential Citations during WWII. Nate documented his World War II experience in a beloved book, cherished by his family.
Following the war he joined Bell System/Diamond State Telephone Company and worked for 38 years in the Philadelphia, Georgetown and Wilmington offices.
Nate was an active member of the Rehoboth Beach Kiwanis, serving as president in 1963.
He was an active member and supported numerous veterans' organizations including the VFW, the 98th Bomb Group "Pyramiders" Association and the Hump Pilots Association.
He also was an active member of the Telephone Pioneers of America for 45 years. Nate enjoyed his extensive service to the Library of Congress Talking Books program. During his service, he invented and donated the design of a nickel-cadmium battery recycler. This invention, called the "Ragan-izer, " is now utilized nationwide by the Talking Books repair program.
He was a member of the Historical Society of Wilmington, the Genealogical Society of Cecil County, and the Historical Society of Maryland, serving these associations in various board positions. Over the years he documented his own family's history to the 1700s, and authored various historical publications about Cecil County, including the recreation of numerous historical land patent maps, and studies of prominent figures in Maryland history, including his family ancestor Robert Fulton, inventor of the steamboat. He has been recognized by many organizations and families for his contributions and research.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dorothy Pettoruto Ragan; his children Linda Appleby and her husband David of Sayreville, New Jersey, Sue Garrett and her husband Doug of Wilmington, Judi MacBride and her husband Bill of Newark, David and his wife Julie of Wilmington, Amy Wilson and her husband Gary of Middletown, Neil of North Carolina, Keith and his wife Kristin of Middletown; grandchildren Scott (Sandra), Benjamin (Debora), Ryan, and Kate Appleby, Peter (Christie) Garrett, Alison (Travis) Bliss, Patrick (Karen), Evan, and Brynn MacBride, Emily, Rachel, Sarah, and Nathan Ragan and Hayley Wilson; great-grandchildren Elyse, Ragan, Logan, Ethan and Rowan. He is also survived by his sister Shirley Webb and brother Paul Ragan. He was predeceased by his sister Evelyn Stewart.
Friends and family are invited to visitation on Tuesday, December 30th between 6 and 8 PM at Mealey Funeral Home, and again at St. Helena's Church, 602 Philadelphia Pike, Bellefonte from 10:30 to 11:30 on Wednesday morning where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 AM. Interment is private.
Rakstis, Constance Marvil
Constance Marvil Rakstis, age 84, formerly of Laurel, De died Oct. 18, 2006.
She was the daughter of the late Horace and Eva Marvil.
She was preceded in death by her husbands Charles "Red" Rider and Felix Rakstis.
She is survived by her daughter Karen M. Ray of Silver Springs, Md. A granddaughter Heather Chafin and Great Grand Children William and Kellie Chafin.
She was a past member of Centenary UM Church Laurel, De.
A Graveside Service will be held Tuesday Oct. 24, 2006 at Laurel Hill Cemetery 9th Street Laurel, De at 10:00AM. Where the Rev. John Van Tine will officiate.
Contributions can be made to the: Alzheimer's Assoc. National Capital Area Chapter 11240 Waples Mill Rd. Suite 402 Fairfax, Va. 22030.
Arrangements are in the Care of the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home 700 West St Laurel, De.
Lorraine Braswell Rago
Lorraine's 90 years of life were a wonderful blend of southern and northern ideals and traditions of charm, wisdom, culture, a strong work ethic, love and support of her family and caring for others. She died peacefully on Saturday, January 6, 2007 after struggling with Alzheimer's disease for several years.
She was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina where a typical day included tending to the large tobacco, animal and produce farm managed by her mother and father, Will and Effie Hines Braswell, and assisting with the raising of a family that included her 10 brothers and sisters. She studied cosmetology in North Carolina and was urged by her future sister-in-law, Ina Marie Rago, to bring her skills to Delaware, where she began a 40 year career as a hairstylist in Wilmington. She met and married Ralph F. Rago soon after arriving in Wilmington, and became a welcomed and cherished member of a large Italian family that included 11 brothers and sisters. Her husband, Ralph, predeceased her in 1981.
She is survived by her son, R. John Rago, who has forever remembered and learned from her lessons of life and her love and understanding of people of all backgrounds and traditions, her brother and his wife, Ralph and Ruby Braswell of Goldsboro, North Carolina, her sisters-in-law, Janie Braswell in Goldsboro, North Carolina and Gene Braswell in Little Rock, Arkansas, her brother-in-law and his wife, Gabriel and Betty Rago of Wilmington, her brother-in-law, Brother James Rago, OSFS, of Toledo, Ohio, and an extended family that includes nieces, nephews and their children, and friends and family in Delaware, North Carolina and Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Lorraine's family extends deep appreciation to the wonderfully caring and loving staff at the Brandywine Convalescent Center on Greenbank Road which in recent years served as both her caregivers and, by virtue of the fact that Alzheimer's disease requires a great deal of love, compassion and understanding, her extended family.
Friends and family are invited to remember Lorraine at a memorial service on Saturday, January 13, at 9:30 a.m. at the Mealey Funeral Home at 7th and Broom Streets in Wilmington. She will be buried with her husband at Cathedral Cemetery on Lancaster Avenue.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to assist with the programs and services that provide for the love and care of others still residing at the Brandywine Convalescent Center at 505 Greenbank Road, Wilmington, Delaware, 19808
Walter F. Abath
Age 77 passed away suddenly on the sunny afternoon of Thursday September 18, 2008. His final moments were spent at the Academy of Lifelong Learning, where he enjoyed the enrichment of mind and spirit for over fifteen years.
Born and raised in New York City, he held masters degrees in engineering from both Columbia University and Carnegie-Mellon. He retired in 1992, after forty one years with DuPont. An avid philatelist, Walter also enjoyed traveling extensively with his wife Madeline, and cherished family time above all.
Walter is survived by his wife Madeline; their children, Mary Sosnowski and Kathy Buterbaugh of Wilmington, DE, Jim and wife Cindy of Royal Palm Beach, FL, Rick and wife Diana of Brattleboro, VT; ten and one third grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.
The family would like to thank Dr. Michael Polnerow and Arlene Giordano for their extraordinary care and compassion.
Friends and family are invited for visitation on Monday, September 22, from 6-8pm at MEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Limestone and Milltown Roads, Wilmington. Funeral services will be held at St. John the Beloved Church, 907 Milltown Road on Tuesday September 23 at 10 am. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests conntributions to Ministry of Caring, 506 n. Church St., Wilmington, DE 19801.
Abbate, Frances
Frances Abbate of Dover died Tuesday, April 03, 2001 in Westminster Village Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Dover. She was 84.
Mrs. Abbate was born on January 30, 1917 to the late Angelo and Lucy Aiosa. After moving to Delaware, she and her family resided in Hartly and had lived there most of her life.
She first worked for the Wyoming Hosiery Mill and then worked for the Fisherman Department Store in Dover. Her last place of employment was for Richardson & Robbins in Dover where she worked in production for 25 years, retiring in 1975.
Mrs. Abbate was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Marydel. She was very active within the women’s organization of the church. She also did volunteer work at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Abbate, on September 8, 1976.
She is survived by three sons, Joseph Abbate of Hartly, Angelo Abbate of Milford, and Anthony Abbate of Milford; a daughter, Teresa Brown of Frederica; three brothers, Mario Aiosa of Michigan, Murphy Aiosa of Wisconsin, and James Aiosa of Long Island, N.Y.; a sister, Ann Wood of New York; 10 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; and her family and friends at Westminster.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 2 PM Friday, April 6, 2001 in the Holy Cross Catholic Church, 631 S. State Street, Dover. Friends may call from 7 PM to 9 PM on Thursday evening at Torbert Funeral Chapel, 61 S. Bradford Street, Dover. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Dover.
Richard L. Abernethy
Age 54, of Newark, DE passed away peacefully on Monday, September 15, 2008 at his residence surrounded by his family.
Born in Wilmington, Richard was the son of R. Franklin and Anne E. (Sweeney) Abernethy. A photographer, he worked for Action! Photo from1968 to the mid-1980's. He was then employed by ATK until 2006. Richard was a dog-lover and a true friend to all who knew him. His hobbies included clock-making, tennis, collecting and following the stock market. He was an expert at the art of high-speed photography.
Richard will be dearly missed by his parents, Anne and Franklin; his sister, Mary Sheridan; his nephew, Paul Sheridan and his wife Jenifer; his niece, Amy Donathan and her husband Mark; and two great nieces, Cassandra Sheridan and Kate Donathan; and a host of friends and family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Saturday, September 19th Holy Family Church in Newark where visitation will begin after 9:30 AM. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery, Wilmington.
The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to Dr. Charles Schneider. Brenda and Teresa at Medical Oncology Hematology Consultants for their professionalism, compassion and kindness extended to Richard.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Lung Cancer Alliance, PO Box 630972, Baltimore, MD 21263 or to Holy Family Parish, 15 Gender Road, Newark, DE 19713.
Abbott, Nelson Leon
FREDERICA—Nelson Leon "Lee" Abbott of Coatesville, PA and Frederica, died Monday, January 31, 2005. He was 56.
He was born on November 16, 1948 in New Jersey, son of the late Nelson and Angela Travero Abbott.
He served in the United States Navy from 1965 to 1968.
Mr. Abbott was a long distance truck driver.
He enjoyed his pigeons, horses, being by the water and listening to music.
He is survived by two daughters Lee Abbott McFillin and her husband Kevin of Washington, DC and Jennifer Abbott of Belmar, New Jersey and two grandchildren Tyler James of Washington, DC and Leyla of New Jersey.
Services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday in the Chapel of the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 100 Patriots Way, Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the National Alliance of Mentally Ill, 2400 West 4th Street, Wilmington, DE 19805 or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Suite 1103, 100 W. Tenth Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.
Arrangements are by Pippin Funeral Home, Wyoming.
