(Obituary order is by date of death. Entries will remain in place approximately three years.)
Donald Anthony Ragas, Sr., age 84, passed away December 4, 2022. Donald, more commonly known as "Duck" to his family and friends, was born July 24, 1938 in Buras, LA. Son of the late John Francis Ragas Jr. and Antoinette Hihar Ragas, brother of Kenneth (Helen) Ragas, Gary (Hally) Ragas, the late Philomene (Tommy) Ragas Eccles, John Frances Ragas, III, and Marie Ragas Holmes. Donald was preceded in death by his loving wife Bettye Wilson Ragas. After graduating from Buras high school, Duck enlisted in the Navy. From 1960–1964 he proudly served as a radioman on USS Fletcher and USS Benner. Duck's service saw his ship deployed during the Cuban missile crisis. After serving our country Duck became a licensed crew boat captain and owner. He later worked for Shell oil company. Duck also took pride in his family's orange grove. A parishioner of Our Lady of Good Harbor and St Patrick Catholic Churches, and he prayed the Rosary faithfully. Duck was a loving father and grandfather, he worked tirelessly supporting his family. Duck had a wonderful sense of humor and was a mesmerizing story teller entertaining his family with stories of his youth. Funeral Mass was at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Port Sulphur, LA on December 12, 2022. Interment in Our Lady of Good Harbor Cemetery, Buras, LA. Obituary Link
Warren Jerrold Seim, age 99, of Minneapolis, previously a long-time resident of Coon Rapids, passed away September 24, 2022. Warren served in the Navy for nearly 4 years, much of which was spent on the USS Fletcher, a destroyer known as "Lucky 13". On November 13, 1942, the Fletcher was the 13th ship in a column of American warships that engaged in a major nighttime battle with Japanese warships headed for Guadalcanal. At night's end, the Fletcher was the only US ship in the column that was not damaged. For many years afterward, Warren and Pat attended annual reunions of the Fletcher's lucky crew. Following the war, Warren worked for Minnegasco as a service technician for over 30 years. Known as 'Uncle Warren' to all, the quiet Norwegian was loved and embraced by his immediate family and an extended family of in-laws, nieces, nephews, and countless friends. Days at the family's cabin near Dorset, MN are embedded in all their memories. The family thanks the staff at Grace Hospice and Pillars of Prospect Park for their wonderful care the last few weeks of Warren’s life. Obituary Link
Grant Edward Linhart, age 77, of Rancho Mirage, CA died on April 24, 2022 at Eisenhower Hospital. He was born December 2, 1944, in San Bernardino, CA, the son of Grant Epler and Lila "Linda" May Smith. When Grant was a year old, his mother and father divorced. At the age of five, his mother married Edward Ervin Linhart who would later legally adopt Grant and give him the middle name of Edward and the last name of Linhart. Grant graduated in 1962, from Milliken High School in Long Beach, CA. After graduation, he joined the U.S.Navy and served as a Fire Control Technician on USS Fletcher. His service garnered him the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. After his service, he married Jessie Saropsane who died prematurely. In the fall of 1969, Grant married Marie Louise Moore. They had two children. He was accepted into the electrical apprenticeship through the I.B.E.W. Local 441 in Santa Ana, CA, and worked on a variety of projects in California and Texas, later returning to California and running his own electrical business in Placerville. In 2004, Grant retired out of I.B.E.W. Local 6 in San Francisco with thirty-five years of service. Grant met and in 1987, married Maribel (Mary) Simionato on her birthday. His friends teased that he got off easy by only having to buy one gift for both occasions. Funeral Mass was held on June 3, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Palm Desert, CA. Committal and Burial Service Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, CA, on June 4, 2022. Obituary Link
Ralph Philip Annunziata, 73, of Macungie, PA, USS Fletcher radioman 1965-1968, entered into rest peacefully on Friday, July 23, 2021 at New York Weill Cornell Medical Center. Ralph was born October 2, 1947 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Louis and Lucia Annunziata. He was the loving husband of Elizabeth “Betty” Annunziata for 44 years. Upon graduation from high school, where Ralph was a championship swimmer, he enlisted in the United States Navy. Ralph proudly and bravely served his country in the Vietnam War and was awarded a Purple Heart. Upon honorable discharge, Ralph began a successful career with AT&T where he spent 35 years. Ralph had a love of dogs, especially German Shepherds, and enjoyed cooking, fishing, coin collecting, a glass of good scotch, and spending time with friends and family. Ralph was also an active member of the local chapter of the Fleet Reserve Association, a non-profit military and veterans organization. Obituary Link
Eli Joseph Bourgeois, Jr., USS Fletcher veteran (1956-58) and New Orleans native, passed away at the age of 82 on October 13, 2020. He served in the Navy for six years and was a manager at Entergy for a 39 year career. He was a member of Toastmasters International, serving as Lt. Governor and Governor; the Fletcher Reunion Group for the Fletcher DD-445, serving as secretary; and worked with Junior Achievement and spent time as a girls' coach at St. Angela Merici. He was also a member of the American Legion, a Holy Cross Alum and a former Delgado Trade School instructor. He is preceded in death by: his parents, Eli Joseph Bourgeois, Sr. and Mary Priola Bourgeois; his two sons, Darryl and Dwayne; his sister, Gerri Watson, and his brother, John Bourgeois. He is survived by: his wife of ten years, Linda P. Bourgeois; his son, Derrick Bourgeois; his grandson, Brock; and many relatives and friends by whom he will be sadly missed. A private Funeral Mass was held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home followed by a public graveside service in St. Patrick Cemetery. Obituary Link
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