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Ricardo Graciano Obituary

Ricardo L. Graciano, Vietnam veteran and school teacher of San Antonio, Texas was born April 11, 1948 and tragically struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle on Roosvelt and Lorita on the southside of San Antonio the morning of July 19, 2008. Witnesses noted a Silver Chevy S10 as the vehicle that hit him then dragged him inhumanly for a block, then cowardly backed up and fled the scene. Ricardo, our beloved father, grandfather, and friend passed away at 10:51 a.m. on July 25, 2008, after bravely struggling in intensive care at Willford Hall Medical Center. Dad was a wonderful friend to many people. He possessed an inviting personality, a quality that comforted so many lives. He worked with the disabled, the homeless, and had a habit of making every person he touched feel as though they were the most important person in the world. His uncanny sense of humor and giving will be missed. He is survived by two sons, Russ Balcuns and Francisco Graciano, two daughters, Cora Furr and Maricela Ramos, as well as eight grandchildren. In addition he was the brother to four brothers and one sister. SERVICES Visitation will be held on Monday, July 28, 2008 at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South from 4:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 P.M. A funeral procession will depart the funeral home at 12:00 P.M. on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 for a 12:30 P.M. Mass at San Jose Mission Church with interment to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests the public to visit a local Bike World Store to sign a petition for the city to create safer bike trails and raise bike and traffic safety awareness, which could save more lives in the future. For personal acknowledgment you may sign the guest book at www.missionparks.com in the obituary section. Arrangements with: Mission Park Funeral Chapels South.


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Published by San Antonio Express-News on Jul. 27, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Ricardo Graciano

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Mary Lee Gerwig

August 12, 2008

John,
I am very sad to hear about your brothers passing. What a tragedy. I feel for you and you brothers and sister and for Richards family too. God be with you, now and always.

Letty Gonzales

August 2, 2008

I am the daughter of Teresa (Ricardo's girlfriend) I had the opportunity to meet Ricardo and thought he was a wonderful man. A blessing my mother and to my family. We are all thankful to have met a man so loving like Ricardo who could always put a smile on our face. Although Ricardo's life was cut short, he lived a great life and I am confident that he is in a better place now. My prayers are with his family.

Patricia Sherman

August 1, 2008

I was so sorry to hear of the loss of Mr. Graciano. My prayers are with you and you have my deepest sympathy.

Patricia Sherman(HEB-Oak Park)

Molly Terbovich-Ridenhour

July 31, 2008

Francisco and family -
My thoughts are with you in this time of healing. I am doing what I can to network to get the word out about this event and to find who is responsible. I wish you all the best in healing and my positive energy is guided your way in resolving this tragic crime. Much love,
Molly Terbovich

BONNIE TERBOVICH

July 31, 2008

FRANCISCO, OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AT THIS TIME.
LARRY & BONNIE TERBOVICH

Raymond Gutierrez

July 29, 2008

Today I honored a soul that was loved and appreciated by so many friends and family. I'm moved by the outpouring of emotion and prayers and it was an honor and a privilege to sound off Taps at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery for a fellow Viet Nam Veteran.
Our prayers go out to the Graciano family.

In His Service,

Ray Gutierrez, U.S.Army Vietnam Vet./Bugler

Jesse Baza

July 29, 2008

Our prayers are with you.

Christina Cerda

July 29, 2008

Francisco, Maricela, Cora and Rusty, my prayers are with you all. Ricardo: Thank you for always being so kind to me. Christoper loves you so much and i'm hurting for him. You will be greatly missed. Love from Christopher Anthony Balcuns mom, Christina

Patty Monteza

July 28, 2008

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. It is tragic as to how it happened, and my prayers go out to family and friends.

Thomas Esquivel

July 28, 2008

I was fortunate enough to work with Ricardo at IKON.I left in 2001 and Ricardo and I have spoken once a week, every week for the last seven years. My heart breaks for your loss and the fact that I will not have that phone call to look forward to anymore. Ricardo, may you rest in peace my brother.

Thomas Esquivel

Bill and Beth Spencer

July 28, 2008

Your father loved you greatly! He told us on many occasions of his love for you. Ricardo was a good friend and God loved him well. We laughed often. He never failed to check in to see how we were doing. We are sorry for your loss,but we know he is free from worry and pain in his new home with God.

Barbara Hicks

July 28, 2008

Maricela:
May you and your family find comfort in knowing that Ricardo is with God.
Love your all - Barbara (James Mom)

Cindi Snell

July 28, 2008

We are very sorry for your tragic loss. Your family will be in our prayers.

Tim Brosseau

July 28, 2008

I worked with Ricardo at AT&T over 10 years ago and we still talked frequently. He visited me often at work and we would talk about old times and people we knew. He always asked about my family. My favorite memory was last Christmas he called and left me this wonderful voicemail about how much he appreciated our friendship.

Sylvia Graciano

July 28, 2008

My condolences on behave of Graciano family - Niece Roxanne and Yvonne Graciano and Family, Sister-In-Law Sylvia Graciano & Late brother Guillermo "Willie" Graciano. Maricela, Franisco and Family,
I am so very sorry for this great loss! Richard was a very Honarble man, severed his Country Proudly. I last saw your Dad durning Veterans' Day celebration downtown monument standing proudly along with other Vietnam Vets. Always with a smile, a joke or two. Shared many stories and always took time to make sure me and the girls, grand-kids were ok after your uncle "Willie" passed on. Richard's smile will always remain in our hearts.

Eduardo Melton

July 28, 2008

My sympathy is extended to Ricardo's family. We at Neopost, Inc. offer our condolences and will miss him as we know you do.
Ed Melton, Branch Manager
Neopost, Inc

Lindsay Woods Frohlich

July 28, 2008

Rus and Family. You have been in my thoughts and prayers. Your dad was a wonderful man who always went out of his way to make sure everyone had a good time. From the Parades to the awesome Mexican resturants, he always took the time out of his day to take care of his friends. Ricardo was a wonderful man and he will be greatly missed. I will be thinking of you.
Lindsay

Sue Salmon

July 28, 2008

Dearest Maricela & Family - My heart goes out to you all. I feel privileged to have known Ricardo. He had such a great sense of humor and made me laugh many times at Grace's house. My love and prayers are with you. Sue Salmon

Carlos Dominguez

July 28, 2008

I am so sorry for your loss. I met him on the San Jose ACTS retreat. Wonderful person. I saw him about 3 weeks ago at the Jims on Hilderbrand, He gave me a great big hug and had a huge smile on his face. Talked about how much the retreat meant to him.

Ruben Villafranca

July 28, 2008

I did not know Ricardo but he was my brother because we both served in Vietnam. On behalf of the Vietnam Veterans of America Alamo Chapter #366 our deepest condolences to the family. We will keep Ricardo and his family in our prayers.

Rose De Leon

July 27, 2008

My deepest condolences to the family and especially Francisco. I am Gregory Aguilar's Mother and now live in Las Vegas. Your Father kept in touch and always asked about Greg and we always remembered both of you as young kids..It is a great loss of a very fine man...Rose De Leon

Jennifer & Steven Alameda

July 27, 2008

Maricela and Family,
My deepest condolences to the Graciano Family. Our Family is saddened for your loss. Mr. Graciano blessed and touched many lives throughout his journery here, and I know he will continue to shine and watch over you and your family.

Mirtala Rodriguez

July 27, 2008

I first met Ricardo when he first moved to McAllen. He showed up at our Scripture class one evening. From that very first class Ricardo's personality made it seem as if we had known him for years. This class has been going on for about 15 years with many of the same members so you can imagine what kind of person Ricardo was for him to be so well liked and accepted. Ricardo was an opend minded individual when it came to religion and current events and was not afraid to ask questions or challenge an opinion. I only knew Ricardo for a short period of time but I will always remember his stories and his presence in our class. May he be at peace at the place we so often discussed at scripture class.

Richard Flores

July 27, 2008

I got to know Richard a little better when he was down here in the rio grande valley working for Lexis Nexis. Although we both graduated from Burbank H.S. (he was two years ahead of me), I got to know him when he came to my office to sell me the on line law library. As we spoke we suddenly realized we came from the same high school and we knew the same old high school buddies. He became my friend and we often saw each other at church. My wife got to know him as she was in the same scripture class in McAllen. God Bless him and all of his family. He was very proud of his family and often spoke of them glowingly. May he rest in peace.

Hillary Thompson

July 27, 2008

Maricela and Family,
I am so very sorry for this great loss! What a wonderful man and what wonderful legacies he leaves behind. He will live on in your hearts! My condolences..

Lynn Dennis

July 27, 2008

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. My favorite memory of Ricardo was when he used to live in the apartments on Military Hwy. One thanksgiving, Ricardo and RUs had their video camera taping a show like COPS and catching Marco Polo (the cat) trying to steal a turkey leg from the table. That was hilarious. Ricardo was always happy, no matter what life brought, and most of all, Ricardo loved his family very much.

Gilberto (Grouch) Villarreal

July 26, 2008

Our condolence to the Graciano family. Ricardo was a great friend and beloved ACTS brother. May he rest in Peace.

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