Obituary of George Richard Ragan

George Richard “Dick” Ragan, age 81 of Erie, passed away on Friday December 23, 2016 at Elmwood Gardens Nursing Facility. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 12, 1935 a son of the late Michael and Mary Glaze Ragan. Dick proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. He graduated from Washington State University and received his masters in Mass Communications from Stanford University. Dick began his working career in Oregon, working for the State Department of Education. In 1969 he moved his family to Erie and worked for the Instructional Television Council of Northwest PA. He later retired from Mercyhurst University where he taught mass media and communications and was Chairman of the Department. He was a great man of integrity and creativity and had a wonderful sense of humor. Dick loved football especially the Green Bay Packers, music, photography all animals and he loved God. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Joan L. Brand Ragan in 2013 and two brothers, Michael Peter and James Ragan. He is survived by his four children Michael (Holly) Ragan of Harrisburg, PA, Tracie (Frank) Travis of Erie, Martin Ragan of Harrisburg, PA and Jennifer Vitello of New Bedford, Massachusetts; ten grandchildren, Michael and Christopher Ragan, Aaron, Joel (Jaimie), Joshua and Nicholas Travis, Austin Weinberg, Morgan (Mike) Drohan, Page (Benjamin) Swaye and Sydney Vitello; seven great-grandchildren and one nephew, Patrick (Julia) Ragan of California. Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. 4216 Sterrettania Rd., on Friday from 4:00 PM until the time of the memorial service at 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to either, McLane Church, 12511 Edinboro Road, Edinboro, PA 16412 or the ANNA Shelter, 1555 East 10th St., Erie, PA 16511.