Grandpa Ratto

{From the San Fransisco Chronicle on November 30th, 2011.}
    
  Raymond Angelo Ratto Sr. Sept 19, 1927 - Nov 26, 2011 Beloved husband for 48 years of the late Irene Ratto, he is survived by his angel Eleanor Camicia, his seven children Raymond Ratto Jr., Paul Ratto, David Ratto, Suzanne Walling, Thomas Ratto, Margaret Ratto-Young and Joanne Lippi, 23 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Ray was the beloved son of the late Antone and Johanna Ratto, brother of twin Edwin Ratto, Len Ratto and sisters Catherine Buchl, Joan Ciccarelli and Anne Gangl, as well as his brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his brothers John Ratto, Antone Ratto Jr., Frank Ratto and sister Adelaide Ciccarelli. Ray was born and raised in Alameda and graduated from Alameda High School in 1945. 

     He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a lifelong farmer and part of the 100-year-old family business Ratto Bros., which is still in existence today. In his earlier years, he volunteered with the Boy Scouts and was a member of St. Joseph High School's school board. He was a member of the Ligure Club, Grandfathers Club, the 100 Club and Native Sons of the Golden West Piedmont Parlor. Ray truly embraced the community of St. Joseph's as an usher and active parishioner. More than anything, Ray cherished his family and friends. He was a loving, caring, generous and wonderful man with a welcoming heart. He always had a positive outlook on life, told a story with a twinkle in his eye and had a great sense of humor. He loved farming, traveling and fishing. He held an important place in his heart for his special needs twin brother, Eddie, and those who care for him.

 ***

Just over two weeks ago the Ratto family laid to rest it's patriarch, my Grandpa Ratto.

For me, mere words cannot express my love, gratitude and overwhelming admiration for this wonderful man, but here goes: he was a man who loved to live life, and gave his everything to the people around him. He woke up at 4 a.m. to start the day and rarely had a night without some occasion on the calendar. And he always did it with a wink and a smile. Because of this, he is loved by countless masses of people.

Grandpa Ratto, you were, are and forever will be, the greatest man any of us have ever known. You were the definition of a blessing in someone's life. You shall be missed. 

Here is some footage the family asked me to take and put together to commemorate Grandpa Ratto.

(I humbly ask that comments only be directed to him and not the video making itself. It is not an art film nor is it intended to entertainment so please only share this link with friends and family of Grandpa Ratto. It is merely one small thing we, as a family, can look to and remember this uniquely wonderful man by. Thanks.)

...get Lost my friends.

America.

One year had passed since I stepped foot in America. I spent that year teaching tiny Korean kids how to read words like, "Happy", "Ambulance" and "Snow mobile". Consequently, I got tired. Repetition of basic English words for 6 hours-a-day puts a wrinkle in your forehead. So, I did the necessary thing at the end of my contract and traveled back to the States for one month.

In those four weeks my fiance, Liz, and I cruised all over the place. We hit Nashville for a wedding, Raleigh for the opening of a chocolate empire, NYC for my sister's engagement party, Northern California to hug my oldest brother and finally back home to Torrance, CA for friends and wedding planning.

The time back highlighted numerous things but really proved only one big thing: if Seoul had Trader Joe's and In-n-Out, it would be hard to leave. Thankfully, especially for my perfect mom, it doesn't.

The next few posts are of some footage I took. Please enjoy.

...get Lost my friends.

Bay Area - '11

On a drive to Northern California, the radio volume stayed low, roads stayed empty and my mom and I stayed in coversation I wish never had to end. The talk evolved, ebbed and flowed, calmed and jumped, became serious then lost itself in laughter, but, it never stopped.

We talked for six-and-half-hours straight. And for me, throughout my 30 day stint in the States, I never felt happier. Thanks Mom.

But once the conversation came to a halt, we found ourselves smack dab in front of mister chamber of commerce himself, Dave Ratto. My oldest brother, chef de cuisine, and future local politician. He plotted out a 3 day adventure that lacked no assortment of food, family and overt laughing. Dave has many gifts but his main and most important one is his addiction to loving his family. He can't get enough. And, being a member of that family, hanging with the guy is always a good time.

So, below is a little video of our time with Dave. Enjoy.



...get Lost my friends.

NYC + Fam = :)

Scents are distinct. But New York City wafts on a different level. I visit NYC often because my Dad and sister live there and I must say, the minute I get that subway smell 'city mode' kicks in. Non-stop meals, walking, camera action, family frenzy's and people watching ensue. It's generally not a vacation because my California roots generally equate vacations to beaches and relaxing. But not in NYC. Not in that metropolis filled with human interest gems.

But on this particular trip the focus was not NYC, but rather my wonderful family. For the first time ever, almost the the entire entity of the Ratto/Whitson group was in the city. We celebrated the engagement of my sister Kaylen and Martin Geaninni. Together, the two are on the cusp of completely infiltrating and influencing mass factions of the performing arts world in New York.

Below is a video of our time in NYC.



My family is rad.

...get Lost my friends.

Raleigh, NC

Have you ever seen something big, before it could even be considered small. Like, have you ever seen a child athlete that didn't know the double-dribble rule but still dribbled with one hand. Or have you ever heard a friend sing at a causal occasion and thought, "Whoa, that voice could really move people."

Talent before greatness. Seed before Sequoia. Bricks before skyscraper.

I am referring to my brother, Sam, and his wife, Star. Together, they are constructing a shoppe, creating a brand, articulating artisan chocolate and building a dream, one coco bean at a time.

Liz and I visited Sam an Star for four days and really got to see their lives in motion as they build their bean to bar chocolate company. I must say, 'proud' comes to mind. 'Excited' too. Shoot, 'overwhelmingly impressed by how they are doing things the right way!' continues to go scroll through my head. It's just fun to see the guy that helped guide you through life continue to set an example for everyone around him. And to be partnered with a genius of all sorts, well, it's sweet. Videri Chocolate sweet.

Here is a little video of our time in Raleigh.

Raleigh, NC-'11 from Mark Ratto on Vimeo.

Videri baby.

...get Lost my friends.

A month of America

Ahh, America. The sweet smell of LAX, the neck stiffening traffic, the carbs, the large people, the beach, the feeling of familiarity. It is all beautiful.

I landed 3 days ago and the one thing that keeps wringing through my mind is the word, 'finally'. After a full year of teaching in Korea, I have finally come home...for a month,

My fiancé Liz and I are doing a month long tour through the states for weddings, family and friends. We spent two days in California, now we are cruising in Nashville for a wedding, then we head to Raleigh for chocolate factory manufacturing, fly up to NYC for my sisters engagement party and finally fly back to California for two weeks of living easy.

It should be a great ride.


{Our first meal in Nashville. Man, I missed real food.}

...get Lost my friends.

The Whiff of Homesickness

You know it's bad when a puddle of water makes you think of home.

This weekend it officially cooled down. The breeze's actually felt like California and I had very distinct whiff of homesickness. Even walking by bodies of water ranging from fountains to a brown sewage puddle makes me think, "Man I want to go surfing right now."

It also does not help that one of my students rocks these surf-chic style T-shirts everyday at school. His name is Aiden and while his body seems stunted at about 1-foot-9 inches high, his head is as a big as mine. Making him the cutest little dude of all time.

But again, looking at him only makes me want to surf something.



Good thing I'm home in 3 WEEKS!

...get Lost my friends.