...a remembrance
of those that have made a difference in our lives...
A memorial service honors Ray Goņi at Saratoga High
-
As published in the April 21, 1999 of Saratoga News -
A
memorial service for longtime Saratogan and Saratoga High School coach Raymond "Ray" Goņi is scheduled for April 24 at 2 p.m.
in the SHS gymnasium, followed by a reception.
Goņi
died April 14 at the age of 55, following a battle with cancer.
He
was born Oct. 13, 1944, in Modesto and was a graduate of California State University, Chico. He came to Saratoga in the 1960s
and taught for 30 years at SHS, where he wore many hats.
As
assistant football coach and defensive coordinator, he helped direct the school to five Central Coast Section football championships.
As girls' soccer coach, his teams won three CCS titles in the early 1990s. Over the years, Goņi also served as junior varsity
baseball coach, varsity assistant wrestling coach and track and field coach. Additionally, he taught both physical education
and U.S. history.
All three of Goņi's sons, Kyle, David and Raymond, played on
the SHS football team. Youngest son Raymond, a senior, was a quarterback this past season. While his sons were growing up,
Goņi was an active coach in Saratoga Little League. He was also famous in the league for his delicious barbecues, according
to longtime family friend Bonnie O'Connor. He was also very proud of his Basque heritage, she says.
Survivors
include wife Debbie Goņi of Saratoga, sons Kyle Goņi of Davis and David and Raymond Goņi of Saratoga; parents Katherine and
Lefty York of Modesto; aunt and uncle MaryLou and Andy Butera of Campbell; in-laws Dorothy and Dave Teeple of Modesto; and
many other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends.
All
are welcome to attend the memorial service at the high school. A Mass is also scheduled for the morning of April 24 at Sacred
Heart Church, 13724 Saratoga Ave., where Goni was an active member. For information about Mass time, call 867-3634.
Donations
may be made to the Goņi Memorial Family Fund, in care of Comerica Bank, 14401 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, 95070.
