John Leo Baratti

John Leo Baratti passed away suddenly in Santa Rosa, California, Sunday December 8, 2013. John was born August 8, 1920, in California on his mother's Mary Sacchi Baratti - Homestead above Rio Dell. John was the only child to Luigi and Mary Baratti. He graduated in 1938 from Fortuna High School. While in school he excelled in his favorite sport of Baseball and his dream was to be a Sports writer. After high school John worked in the log-pond at Pacific Lumber Company and after a year there learned to swim with his boots on, soon after he joined the US Navy prior to World War II. During World War II he survived eighteen battle campaigns and the sinking of the USS Northampton at Guadalcanal where he swam with his shoes on making it possible to donate his socks to an unfortunate shipmate. Eventually he was pulled out of the water by a fellow sailor from Scotia, California and deposited at New Guinea. He was later sent to commission the USS Boston where he met his wife Virginia O'Malley. Lastly, he returned to the Pacific Theater where he completed his tour of duty with the Signing of the Japanese Surrender at Tokyo. After the war John and Virginia returned to California where he graduated from Humboldt State College earning a teaching credential and started his family. He was called back into the Korean War and served at Mare Island Submarine Base. His first teaching job was in Hopland, California but upon the death of his Father he moved back to his home in Rio Dell taking the 8th grade teaching job at Scotia where he drove the School Bus, and coached all sports but enjoying most Baseball and Basketball. John and Virginia raised eight children in Rio Dell, were members of the Rio Dell Volunteer Fire Department and worked tirelessly for cityhood. John moved on to teach Continuation High School in Eureka whereupon he suffered the death of Virginia in 1967, he then took a job at Jacobs Junior High School coaching Baseball and Basketball for his final years before retiring. John worked to improve benefits and better pay for all School Teachers and while at a California Teachers Association meeting in Burlingame he married Doris Jean and soon retired in San Francisco to season tickets to the Giants Baseball team, worldwide travel and finally realizing his dream to see the San Francisco Giants win the World Series. As a father John enjoyed his family, friends and many students that still call him Mr. Baratti. He was always willing to engage someone in conversation usually about baseball and politics. As a history buff he would school everyone about America's development and past events. John was preceded in death by his wife Virginia, daughter Mary, son-in-law George McGraw, and grandson Edward (Tony) Baratti. He is survived by his wife Doris Jean Baratti, and children; John (Bonnie) Baratti, Michele Baratti, Edward (Grace) Baratti, Joseph Baratti, Monica McGraw, Martha (Dave) Pellitier, and Margaret (Bill) Little. Grandchildren are: Erin (Krisant,) Aguilar, Stephanie Baratti, Caroline Baratti, Hilary Baratti, Joseph Baratti, John Baratti, Sienna Mattos, Lauren Johnson, Mathew Johnson, George Little, Francine Ching (Eric), and Ahmad Baratti. Great grandchildren: Jackson Aguilar, Lenin, Iris, Antonio Mattos, Cambria Baratti, Jackson Little and Issac Baratti. Friends are invited to attend services for John on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 9:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 14th and N Street, Fortuna, CA. Interment will follow at St Bernard Catholic Cemetery in Eureka. Arrangements are under the direction of Goble's Fortuna Mortuary where friends may call Friday, December 13, 2013 from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com and click on obits.
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