April 6, 2008

GALLERY

(San Francisco) - Dick Raffetto, a longtime passionate supporter of USF Athletics, passed away Friday, April 4. Family and friends are invited to attend the Vigil Service, Tuesday, April 8th, 7:30 pm at Halstead N. Gray-Carew & English, at 1123 Sutter St, and Funeral Mass, will be held Wednesday, April 9, 10am at St. Ignatius Church on the USF campus.

A fourth generation San Franciscan, Raffetto was born July 8, 1926 in the City to the late William and Estelle Raffetto. After a long, courageous battle against declining health, Raffetto completed his race in San Francisco. He was 81.

Raffetto attended Saint Vincent de Paul Grammar School, 1940, St. Ignatius High 1944, and University of San Francisco, 1948. After graduating from USF, Raffetto married Barbara Pattridge Raffetto Sept. 17, 1949, his high school sweetheart, who he met in 1944. He also joined his family business, William J. Raffetto & Sons, with his father William J. Raffetto, Sr., and his brother William J. Raffetto II in 1949. After the passing of his father and brother, he took over the firm and remained there until retiring in 1996 at the age of 70. The firm, now run by his daughter Victoria Raffetto Masliah, celebrated 100 years in 2007.

Raffetto embraced service to the community and served in countless roles in the San Francisco community. His distinguished decades of service to the city included: past-president North Beach Lions Club, and past grand knight, Knights of Columbus. In 1968 he served as a delegate to the National Republican Convention.

An active alumnus, he was well known as one of USF's greatest supporters. A cheerleader during his college years, he never stopped cheering for the Dons. He was recognized for his dedication in 2006 when he was inducted into the USF Hall of Fame. In addition to spearheading the renovations for the Russell Room at War Memorial Gym, Raffetto designed and donated the Dons mascot.

He was also the president and vice-president of the USF Dons Century Club and vice-chair of Board of Directors for the Green & Gold Club, charged with supporting USF student-athletes. He was one of the Silver Circle president ambassadors, traveling extensively with the USF Men's Basketball Team. For his tireless efforts on behalf of his Alma Mater, Raffetto received the prestigious USF Alumni Service Award.

A history buff and a man of many interests, Raffetto never stopped learning. His hobbies and interests included college basketball, carpentry, gardening, photography, music, movies, theater, art, entertaining people, taking walks in the neighborhood with his beloved dog Coco and spending tine at his weekend home in Healdsburg with his family and friends.

Raffetto leaves behind a remarkable legacy. In addition to his wife of 58 years, Barbara, he is survived by three daughters, Carole Marcaletti, Christine Raffetto and Victoria Raffetto Masliah (John Masliah); three grandchildren Robert Marcaletti (Elisa Marcaletti), Jeffrey Marcaletti and Elizabeth Masliah; brother of the late William; brother-in-law of Doris Raffetto; and two nieces - Janet Borg, Celia Maglione and a nephew William Raffetto III.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to be made to the Men's Basketball Program at the University of SF, 2130 Fulton St., SF, CA 94117.