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Richard Moratto Obituary
October 3, 2025
Richard Moratto was born in Santa Rosa, CA, in 1937, to Louis John Moratto and Alice Audrey Miller. He was the youngest of three boys. He graduated from St. Vincent de Paul High School in Petaluma. He was a member of the Brothers of the Christian Schools for 68 years and died peacefully at home at Mont La Salle, Napa, on October 3, 2025.
Brother Richard served in various ministries: as a teacher and counselor at Sacred Heart High School in San Francisco, Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento and Saint Mary's College High School in Berkeley, (where he also served as a prefect of boarders); a retreat leader at Christian Brothers Retreat House in Saint Helena; in mentoring young men aspiring to be Brothers, at Benilde Hall at Saint Mary's College, Moraga, as well as at the Brothers' Novitiate in Skaneateles, NY and at Mont La Salle in Napa, CA; in campus ministry work at the Newman Center at Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo, and in adult religious education in Saint Helena and later at Mont La Salle in Napa. In this latter role, he conducted "Retreats for Busy People."
Funeral services will take place on Monday, October 20, 2025, at Mont La Salle, 4401 Redwood Road, Napa, CA.
Visitation (Rotunda): 10 a.m.
Funeral Mass (Main Chapel): 11 a.m.
Burial following Mass at Mont La Salle Cemetery. A reception will follow.
For those unable to attend in person, the funeral will be livestreamed at: https://www.youtube.com/live/E5yeR6C-B_A.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for the Lasallian Christian Brothers Foundation, Mont La Salle, 4401 Redwood Rd. Napa, CA 94558.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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Sponsored by Claffey & Rota Funeral Home.
2 Entries
Susan Eakle
October 17, 2025
I was in Brother Richard's adult religious education class in the mid-80's as I was converting to Catholicism. He was an engaging and warm-hearted leader. During one conversation, I expressed how annoying it was to cry over the slightest of things--both happy and sad. Brother Richard changed my perspective forever by telling me that I had "the gift of tears." I have kept that phrase in my heart ever since. May he rest in eternal peace.
A Fellow Pilgrim
October 11, 2025
"Well done, my good and faithful servant. Come, share in the joy of your Master." Matthew 25
Thank you for the witness of your vowed religious life, your dedicated service to others, all in faithful discipleship to Christ and His Church.
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