Obituary notice for
Joseph Paul (Sonny) Rajacich

      After a brief illness, Joe "Sonny" Rajacich, 69, died in St. James Healthcare early Sunday morning, Feb. 24, 2008.

      He was born Joseph Paul Rajacich on Feb. 18, 1939, in Keewatin, Minn., to Paul and Rose (Rizio) Rajacich.   He came to Butte when he was nine months old.

      The oldest of nine children, Joe attended Blaine Elementary School and graduated from Butte High School.   He was proud to be an American and served his country in the Navy.   He returned to Butte and married the love of his life and long-time partner, Margie Morris of Anaconda.   They would have celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary in June 2008.   Together they raised three daughters, Theresa, Becky, and Peggy.

      Joe was a good man, devoted husband, and loving father.   His many passions included fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, and spending time at his cabin at Georgetown Lake.   Family was always first and everyone was welcome to his home and cabin.   Joe's concern for others will continue on, even after his death.   Through his gift of cornea donation, someone will enjoy the beauty of the country that Joe loved with the help of the gift sight.   He retired in 1995 from the Iron Workers Union, Local Chapter 81, of which he was a member for 25 years.   He was also a member of the Elks Lodge for 43 years.

      Joe was preceded in death by his father, Paul; mother, Rose; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harp and Aggie Morris.

      He is survived by his wife, Margie; children, Theresa Rajacich, Becky (Kevin) Rintala, and Peggy Rajacich; brothers and sisters, Cookie (Steve) LaRusso, JoAnne McClafferty, Nikki (Jim) Mulcahy, Jim (Linda) Rajacich, Paul (Vicky) Rajacich, Nancy (Pat) Lewis, Frank Rajacich; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Tom (Sandi) Morris, Joe (Perla) Morris; and numerous nieces and nephews.

      Friends are asked to join the family after 9 a.m. Thursday in St. Patrick's Catholic Church, where Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m.   Interment of ashes will follow in Sunset Memorial Park.

      As one of the main links of our family chain, Joe will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.   Because of his love for kids and sports, in lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Mariah McCarthy Challenge, c/o Ed Tech Federal Credit Union, or the Marissa Peoples Fund, c/o Wells Fargo Bank.

      Express condolences at www.mtstandard.com/obits.

Published in The Montana Standard on 02/26/2008.
Web Page by TD Roberts. Please report any problems directly to: trefor.duane@comcast.net
Page created: Feb. 26, 2008 and modified: Dec. 26, 2008