A memorial service for Lewis J. Raia Jr., 82, of Clarkesville, will be held in Florida at a future date.
Mr. Raia passed away Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020.
Born June 14, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York, he was the son of the late Lewis and Anna (Bruno) Raia. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 49 years, Carol; and his siblings, Janet, Frances, and Richard.
He was survived by his four children, Sharon, Jeff, Jason, and Jared; his grandchildren, Callie and Carlos Nieto, and Melissa, Nicole, and Jeffrey Raia; his sisters, Diana Cassidy and Florence Dunn; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Lewis retired from the St. Petersburg (FL) Police Department in 1981 after 20 years' service, having followed in the footsteps of his father who served on the NYPD. He was also a member of the Army National Guard. An avid hunter and fisherman, he loved traveling the country, particularly out West, and riding his motorcycle or being out on his boat. A life-long Catholic, he was especially devoted to the Blessed Mother. He was proud of his Sicilian heritage and loved a good bowl of pasta.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, P.O. Box 67, Valley Forge, PA 19481, or the American Heart Association.
An online guest book is available for the Raia family at HillsideMemorialChapel.com.
Arrangements are in the care of Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens, Clarkesville.