Lifelong Petaluma resident John Ramatici, 46, an All-American college football player, local business owner and dedicated father, died Sunday of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease.

He died at his home surrounded by his family, after spending the day watching the Super Bowl. It had been about 18 months since Ramatici was diagnosed.

Paul Ramatici spoke Wednesday of how much he admired his younger brother.

"Through this whole adversity he never once said, 'Why me?' He never pitied himself. He just took it in stride," said Paul Ramatici of Petaluma.

John Ramatici graduated from Petaluma High School in 1978. He went on to the University of Nevada, Reno, where he earned a degree and was such a standout Wolf Pack linesman that he was chosen as a Kodak All-American linebacker in 1980-81.

He still holds the record for tackles over a two-year period, with 279. In October, the college honored Ramatici's athletic abilities by inducting him into its sports hall of fame.

When Ramatici graduated, he returned home to Petaluma and joined his father and brother in the family business, Don Ramatici Insurance Inc. John Ramatici was vice president and co-owner.

"In 46 years of life, he did a lot of things people can't do in a lifetime," said close friend and college football teammate, Bubba Melcher of Reno.

About 15 years ago, Ramatici took flying lessons at the Petaluma airport. He worked his way up to a 10-seater, King Air B200, Melcher said.

Ramatici also took up sailing. He had dreams to one day take his family on a sailboat trip to foreign ports.

Always an outstanding athlete, he loved to bicycle and discovered the joy of competitive cycling. He proposed forming a bicycling team, and he and Melcher and other friends became Team Clover, sponsored primarily by Clover Stornetta.

"He really enjoyed the camaraderie," Melcher said.

Melcher described Ramatici as not only an All-American on the gridiron, but in all aspects of his life.

"That's the way he pursued life. He jumped in with both feet and said "let's go,'" Melcher said.

Ramatici often flew the cycling team to competitions around the country. He also made at least five trips to Mexico, bringing medical services or doctors to clinics there as part of Rotary Club service.

He was a dedicated husband and father, friends said. He had four children, including three by a first marriage who live in Reno.

Never wanting to miss a sporting or school event, he would frequently fly his plane to Reno, even to attend a 20-minute teacher conference, Melcher said.

In spring 2005, Ramatici began to have aches and pains that troubled him and worried his cycling buddies, Melcher said. The diagnosis came that August.

Ramatici was a member of the Petaluma Rotary Club, Petaluma Lodge No. 901 BPOE, a member of Nicasio Parlor No. 183 NSGW, served on the board of directors of the North Coast Builders Exchange and was a member of the Engineering Contractors Association.

In addition to his brother, he is survived by his wife, Michelle Ramatici of Petaluma; his parents, Don and Jan Ramatici of Petaluma; three sisters, Donna Ramatici of Carson City, and Susan Powers and Joan Johnson, both of Petaluma; and four children, Natale, 10, of Petaluma; and Kylie Ramatici, Jake Ramatici and Brittany Freitas, all of Reno.

Visitation will be at 11 a.m. today at Parent-Sorensen Mortuary. A vigil service will be at 6:30 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Vincent de Paul Church. Private burial will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Petaluma, 416 Payran St., Petaluma 94952 or to ALS, Greater Bay Area Chapter, 131 Steuart St., Suite 200, San Francisco 94105.

—Randi Rossman

Athlete, insurance executive

An accomplished athlete, pilot and co-owner of a local insurance company, John Ramatici died at his Petaluma home surrounded by family on Feb. 4, 2007 after a year-and-a-half-long battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). He was 46.

Mr. Ramatici was born, raised and educated in Petaluma, graduating from Petaluma High School in 1978. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada, Reno. An accomplished athlete throughout high school and college, he was recently inducted in the University of Nevada-Reno Hall of Fame. He was also an avid cyclist and an accomplished pilot.

He was vice president and co-owner of Don Ramatici Insurance.

Mr. Ramatici was a member of the Petaluma Rotary Club, Petaluma Elks Lodge No. 901, Nicasio Parlor No. 183 Native Sons of the Golden West, North Coast Builders Exchange and the Engineering Contractors Association.

He is survived by his wife, Michelle Ramatici, and four children, Kylie, Jake, Natale Ramatici and Brittany Freitas. He was the son of Don and Jan Ramatici.

Mr. Ramatici was the brother of Donna Ramatici, Susan Powers, Joan Johnson and Paul Ramatici. He is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, 2007 at Parent-Soren-sen Mortuary & Crematory, corner of Magnolia Avenue and Keokuk Street, Petaluma.

The vigil service will be at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 35 Liberty St. A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 9, also at St. Vincent’s.

The family prefers that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Petaluma, 416 Payran St., Petaluma, 94952 or to the ALS, Greater Bay Area Chapter, 131 Steuart St., Suite 200, San Francisco, 94105.

© Petaluma Argus Courier.

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