Obituaries

Albert Martin Bazzanella

Albert Martin Bazzanella

Albert Martin Bazzanella, 72, of 1244 Lincoln Avenue, passed away at the University of Utah, December 20th, after a brief illness. He was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming, to Albert and Mary (Carollo) Bazzanella on February 4th, 1934. He graduated from Rock Springs High School in 1952 and enlisted in the Army, on June 10th, 1954, during the Korean War. He was discharged in June, 1956. He married Anna Ribovich at Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church on June 27th, 1959. Albert worked for Mountain Fuel Company and Sweetwater Cable T.V., for several years, and Cream O’ Weber Dairy for 15 years. Later, he and his wife owned and operated On The Spot Carpets from 1970 until 1985. In September of 1985, he went to work for the Rock Springs School District #1, where he remained for the next 14 years, until his retirement in 1997.

Albert was a member of the Eagles Lodge and the American Legion. His interests included hunting, fishing, working crossword puzzles, Jeopardy, visiting with his friends, and going out in the country with his family. He enjoyed being with his family very much. He also enjoyed eating at Lew’s Family Restaurant.

Surviors include his wife Anna, one daughter, Cheryl Lynn Garduno, one son, Albert Michael Bazzanella and wife Shawn, four grandchildren, John Albert Smith and wife Meagan, Albert Maylon, (Albie), Bazzanella, and fiancé Courtney Brown, Bradley Ray Garduno, all of Rock Springs, and Chelsie Leah Bazzanella, of Phoenix, Arizona, and one great grandson, Xander Jas Smith of Rock Springs. He is also survived by one sister, Evelyn Mecca and one niece, Diana Mackinen and husband, John, their children Shane Mackinen of Kemmerer, Wyoming, and Michael Anne Abeyta of Riverton, Wyoming. He is preceded in death by his parents, one daughter Anna Maria Bazzanella, father-inlaw and mother-in-law John and Catherine Ribovich and one nephew Brian John Ribovich.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, December 28, 2006 at the Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, 633 Bridger Avenue, Rock Springs, Wyoming. A Parish Rosary will be recited at 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, at the Vase Funeral Chapel, 154 Elk Street, Rock Springs, Wyoming. Interment will be in the Paul J. Wataha Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call at the Vase Chapel, Wednesday afternoon and evening until 8:00 P.M. and again Thursday at the chapel until time of services.

Pallbearers will be John Albert Smith, Albert (Albie) Bazzanella, Bradley Ray Garduno, Al Richards, John Unguren, and “Chick” Magagna.

Honary pallbearers are Chelsie Bazzanella, Paul Perez, Ed Julius, Gary Eccker, Bill Ainscough, and Lance East. The family of Albert Martin Bazzanella will be receiving relatives and friends at their home 1244 Lincoln Avenue, Rock Springs, Wyoming.

Paul A. Raftery

Paul A. Raftery

Paul A. Raftery, 41 of Helena, Montana, passed away December 8, 2006. He was born March 10, 1965, in Berkley, California to Robert P. and Mary Kay (Miller) Raftery.

Paul attended grade school through high school in San Jose, California, where he obtained the honor of Eagle Scout. Paul graduated from UC Davis with a bachelor’s degree in fish and wildlife biology.

Paul worked for the U.S. Park Service in Arizona and later served with the U.S. Park Police in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco. He also worked as a deputy sheriff, detective and Chief Detective with the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office in Sublette County, Wyoming.

Paul entered law school at the UM of Missoula and graduated with honors in the spring of 2006. He passed the Montana state bar in July of 2006 and began working for the Supreme Court of Montana with Justice John Warner.

Paul is survived by his parents, Bob and Mary Kay Raftery of San Jose, brothers, Matthew Raftery of Reno, Nevada and John (Lori) Raftery of Lincoln, California; sisters Anne Raftery of San Jose; Amy (Michael) Holzr of San Jose and his special companion, his beloved dog, Thelma. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 6, 2007 at Our Lady of the Peace Catholic Church in Pinedale.

The family prefers memorials to be sent in Paul’s name to the Lewis and Clark Humane Society, PO Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604.