Joseph A. Raab
January 28, 1910 - August 17, 2003
Obituary
Born in Helena, Montana on January 28th, 1910. Joe died peacefully early Sunday, August 17, 2003, surrounded by his family. In 1917, Joe’s family moved to Seattle. Joe attended the University of Washington where he excelled in sports. He served his country in World War II as a member of the Army Air Corp 413th signal corp. Based in India, Joe flew B-29’s over the Himalayas on several bombing raids. He also served on Okinawa where he survived the Great Typhoon. After the war Joe returned to his job as General Manager for Charles E. Sullivan Florists where he worked for over 40 years until his retirement in the late 1970’s. Joe is survived by his wife Kay, daughter Judy, son-in-law Rob and grandson, Joseph; his youngest sister, Barbara Johnson, his great-nephew Joseph Hunziker and the entire Derrig family. Recitation of the Rosary will be offered at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 3, 2003, at BONNEY-WATSON Capitol Hill, 1732 Broadway, Seattle, 322-0013. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, September 4, 2003, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 18th Ave E. & Aloha. A party to celebrate Joe’s life will follow at Judy and Rob’s.
Kay and Judy,
What a blessing Joe was in my life! There are but a few people, besides my own parents, that have made such an impact stemming from my childhood. It is a rare adult who treats children with such reverence and respect. I always felt so very special after spending time in the company of Joe. He treated me as if I was the most special child and young adult…I felt his sincerity…children know! – they have a unique ‘6th’ sense about who is a truly good spirit…Joe was truly one of a kind and I have always remembered the way he treated me. As an adult, I have tried to remember and live the ‘lessons learned’ from Joe – it is not the quantity, rather the quality of the interaction; it may only take brief moments of kindness to make a lasting difference in the lives of others; and most importantly, to treat all people with kindness and respect. Joe was an amazing man, you are so lucky and blessed to have had him in your life as husband and father. I am blessed you were such good friends with my parents…and I had the privledge of being at the family and friend gatherings.
I used to love to take the bus downtown when I was a teenager and always would stop in to see Mr. Raab at Sullivan’s! I felt so special and all ‘grownup’ as he would always stop everything that he was doing, hug me, greet me like I was royality, introduce me to everyone around,go in the back and come out with flowers that I was quite certain were delivered just for me!!! My friends were quite envious that I had such an handsome and debonair ‘older’ friend!!!
I know that you will miss him terribly. I hope that your memories will sooth you. I will always remember Joe.
I was pleased to get a chance to visit with you at the gathering after the funeral. I hope that we can get together again before so much time passes. Mom is planning a get-together dinner out with Sarah Derrig; maybe we can all meet?
I hope to be invited to the “1st annual Joe Raab BS tie event.
Take care.
Love Joyce
I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to the Raab and Derrig Families;
I will always remember Joe Raab as a man who was always very kind to me and my brothers and sister. You are in my thoughts and in my prayers. Best wishes to all. Mary P. Hardiman
Judy and Family,
I was very saddened when I read that Joe had passed away as he was truly a wonderful man.
I first met him while working at Sullivan’s Florist when I was 16 years old. Joe always had a smile, was perpetually happy, and treated everyone even the help as very special which is something I try to do in my own life.
A few years back, we bumped into one another at the store. We chatted for some time and then realized it had been 25 years since seeing one another. The way the conversation was going, people would’ve thought we had just played cards the night before or something. That was Joe Raab. He was a walking history of Seattle, knew everyone, had an incredible memory, and everyone enjoyed him immensely.
I am very sorry about your loss as I certainly know how hard it can be. Joe touched many lives, in a very positive way, and that memory will always endure. Take care and hope to see you soon.
K.O.
Joe was a good friend of years past. I remember the magnificant bouquets, the many lunches, the shared conversations, a few husky ball games, poker parties with our friends Tom Wells,
Jim Todd, Pete Cornel and others. I remember the day he announced he had won $25,000 on one of the original Wa. lotteries. Unfortunately as so often happens, I hadn’t seen Joe now for many years.
My heartfelt thoughts for you family members and friends at this time.
Judy and family,
When you have lost someone you love, no words, however kind, can ease the grief you feel. Take comfort in knowing that others share your loss and extend their heartfelt condolences.
Though you cannot always see the bird sing,
if you listen with your heart, you can always hear his song.
Though the ones we love may leave life as we know it,
in our memory, the love we knew will always carry on.
We wish to express our deepest sympathy and let you know others share your sorrow.
I did not know your dad, Judy, but was saddened for you to hear of his passing. My condolences to you, Rob and the rest of the family. Take care.