RENATO “RAY” BARSOTTI obituary

RENATO “RAY” BARSOTTI obituary

Renato “Ray” Julius Barsotti, 75, of Havre died Thursday, Oct. 19, 200,6 at Northern Montana Hospital of natural causes.

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a. m. Monday at St. Jude Catholic Church with Father Robert D. Grosch officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held at the Eagles in Havre immediately after the graveside service. Ray was born Aug. 27, 1931, in Havre to Alfred and Mary (D'Angelo) Barsotti. He was raised and educated in Havre. Ray attended St. Jude Elementary School and Havre High School, graduating in 1949. Ray moved to Great Falls after graduation and learned the meat cutting trade from his relatives at North Side Meat Market. He returned to Havre in 1951 and worked at Standard Meat Market in Marra's Grocery. Ray married Annice Bullinger on Sept. 1, 1952. Ray and Annice purchased Standard Meat Market from Joe Echelard in 1955. The business name was changed to Ray's Meat Market. The couple ran the meat market for 25 years, until Marra Grocery was closed. Ray then worked part time for Safeway for a few months, for Buttrey's and later full time for IGA's Meat Market for nine years before retiring. After retirement, Ray and Annice put more time into their private meat cutting business at their home. Ray enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Ray took his family to Disneyland in 1972 and the family vacationed at Lake Blaine for a number of years. Later, he enjoyed visiting Canada. Ray enjoyed spending time at the Eagles, being on active on its board of directors as well as serving on the board of directors for the Eagles Manor, visiting with friends and family, and playing cards, especially with Annice and Rita. In his younger days, Ray spent time boating, fishing, hunting and taking care of his kids' horses. He enjoyed his cabin in the Bear Paws for 35 years. Ray had a green thumb; tomatoes were his specialty. Later in his life, Ray took pleasure in feeding birds and watching the different birds in his backyard. He also loved to watch the sunset each night. Ray was known to bring doughnuts to many people around Havre and to stay up late and sometimes fall asleep in his favorite chair. He gave silver dollars to his nieces and nephews and would call them Italian nicknames. His handwriting and his driving were infamous. Toward the end of his life, Ray would often ask for prayer for healing. He received his ultimate healing on Thursday Oct. 19. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Anne Hirsch. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Annice Barsotti of Havre; daughters, Mary Beth (Dave) Sheppard and Rita Morse of Havre; son, Michael (Joy) Barsotti of Havre; brother, Jim (Jean) Barsotti of Big Sandy; grandchildren, Tyler, Scott and Mason Sheppard, Ashley Morse and Joe Barsotti; two greatgrandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and godchildren. Memorial contributions in Ray's honor may be made to Home on the Range for Boys and Girls in Montana and North Dakota, Sentinel Butte Ranch, 16351 I94, Sentinel Butte, ND 58654. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.