Joseph J. Raite

Joseph J. Raite, 87, of Camillus, passed away Thursday, April 3, 2008 at Crouse Hospital. Born in Syracuse on December 2, 1920, he was the son of James and Catina Raite of N. Syracuse. Joe lived in Camillus for over 50 years. He was the owner and president of Raite Builders, Inc. in Camillus for 33 years. Joe married his sweetheart, Nancy Spadaro, on December 13, 1941. He served in the Army Air Corps from June 1943 to September 1945. He spent 11 months as a B-24 tail gunner, flying combat missions throughout the Asia Pacific Theater during World War II. After his discharge in 1945, he worked at various jobs, including time at General Electric in Syracuse. He purchased Harding Produce in 1948 and entered the wholesale fruit business. He later expanded into the retail fruit business until 1951 when he sold his business and entered the construction trade as a framer. Two years later, he purchased one lot on which he built and sold his first house. He spent the next 33 years building a successful business and providing for his family. During his career, he built over 550 homes and in excess of 400 apartment units in and around the greater Central New York area. He was an active member of the Central New York Homebuilders Association. Joe enjoyed being on Otisco Lake, boating, fishing and spending time with family. Summers at the Raite camp were always a special time for family and friends. He also enjoyed traveling and, together with Nancy, took many enjoyable trips and cruises. He was proud of his Italian heritage and traveled to Italy many times to visit the home of his parents and ancestors. Joe was a very proud and dedicated family man and took great pleasure in spending time with his children and grandchildren. Papa Joe will be missed by all who knew him. Surviving are his daughters, Elaine (Joe) Gombas of San Antonio, Texas, Joanne (Steve) Walliski and Mary Lou (David) Bird of Camillus; grandchildren, Steven Gombas of San Antonio, Texas, Brandon Palmer of Camillus, Jill Gombas of San Antonio, Texas and Vanessa Z. Bird of Camillus and several great-grandchildren; brothers, George (Connie) Raite and Mike (Josie) Raite, both of Syracuse; sisters, Virginia Minissali of PA, Grace Hoyt of Seattle, WA, and Frances Segreti of Syracuse; brother-in-law, Ralph (Lorraine) Spadaro of Syracuse; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus and at 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church where a funeral Mass will be celebrated. Friends may call Monday, April 7, 2008 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Entombment will be in Resurrection Chapel Mausoleum, St. Mary's Cemetery, DeWitt. The family of Joe Raite would like to thank the staff at Crouse Hospital, floor 6 south, for the compassionate care he received. Contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 356 No. Midler Ave., Syracuse, NY 13206.