Saratoga Springs, NY - Joseph Paul Raucci, of George St., passed away Monday (Nov.16, 2009) at the Wesley Health Care Center. He was 88. Born on Sept, 5, 1921 in Saratoga Springs, he was the son of the late Pasquale and Adelaide (Sparago) Raucci. Joseph was an honor graduate of Saratoga Springs High School Class of 1939 and attended Fordham University (1939 and 1940) serving as Vice President of his freshman and sophomore class. At the outbreak of World War II, he joined the US Navy as a Seabee stationed in the Pacific Theatre on the islands of New Caledonia and Guadalcanal and was honorable discharged in 1944. In 1946, he began a thirty six year career at the General Electric Co. in Schenectady, retiring as Production Manager in 1982. He loved baseball and was a NY Yankee fan his entire life, having had the good fortune to have attended every World Series game played at Yankee Stadium during the 1950's. Joseph also enjoyed playing golf, enjoyed the game of poker, was a fan of horseracing and upon retirement, was a daily attendee at the Saratoga Race Course August meet. His greatest love was being surrounded by his family and friends. A communicant of St. Clements Roman Catholic Church, he was an honorary life member of Saratoga Council 246 Knights of Columbus Third Degree and a member and Past Faithful Navigator of Saratoga Assembly 745 Knights of Columbus. He attended many council functions and activities and served for many years on the Bingo committee. Survivors include his loving wife of sixty four years, Josephine (Martinez) Raucci; two sons, Rev. Patrick Roach and Joseph Raucci and his wife, Kathi and one grandson, Patrick Jr. Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 8pm Friday (Nov. 20, 2009) at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, 628 North Broadway (584-5373). Members of the Knights of Columbus will meet at 6pm Friday evening at the funeral home for services. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30am Saturday in St. Clements Church, 231 Lake Avenue by the Rev. Neil Draves-Arpaia. Burial with military honors will follow in the family plot at St. Peter's Cemetery, West Avenue. Memorials donations may be made in his name to the Saratoga County Animal Shelter, 6010 County Farm Road, Ballston Spa, NY 12020. The family would like to thank the staff of Two Springs at the Wesley Health Care Center for the wonderful care Joseph received as a resident during the last several month of his life. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.