84R27664 MGB-D
By: Miller of Fort Bend H.R. No. 2708
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Family and friends are mourning the loss of Sam
Bernard Raia Jr. of Sugar Land, who passed away on March 1, 2015, at
the age of 80; and
WHEREAS, The son of Sam Raia Sr. and Mary Francis Raia, Sammy
Raia was born and raised in Houston and grew up with the company of
his brothers, Carl and Russell; he graduated from St. Thomas High
School and earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the
University of Houston before joining the U.S. Air Force Reserve;
while stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, he was
known to hitchhike home to the Bayou City to enjoy his mother's
homemade pasta and ricotta; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Raia demonstrated an exceptional work ethic
throughout his life; at the age of 13, he got his first job at a
grocery store, and he later installed air conditioners and was
employed by the U.S. Postal Service; after working as a draftsman
at Fish Engineering, he joined the Gaido-Lingle Pipe Coating
Company in 1959, and he rose to the rank of executive vice president
of sales during his notable 42-year career with that business; he
also shared his time and expertise with the National Association of
Pipe Coating Applicators, which he served as president; and
WHEREAS, An engaged citizen and dedicated supporter of the
Fort Bend County Republican Party, Mr. Raia was active in many GOP
precinct, senatorial, and state conventions, and he was excited to
have the opportunity to attend the party's national convention in
1999; in recognition of his contributions, he was named an honorary
life member of the Spirit of Freedom Republican Women's Club; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Raia was a valued parishioner at St. Laurence
Catholic Church; in his leisure time, he enjoyed playing tennis and
golf, and he was a member and a past president of the Sugar Creek
Country Club; and
WHEREAS, Above all else, Mr. Raia was devoted to his loved
ones, including his wife, Terese, his children, Deborah, Sam,
Elizabeth, and Mary, and his grandchildren, Hannah, Regis, Scott,
Andrea, Zachary, Robert, Teresa, Corrine, and Melissa; and
WHEREAS, Sammy Raia lived a rich and purposeful life centered
around his family, his faith, and his community, and he will forever
be remembered with great admiration and affection by all who had the
good fortune to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Sam Bernard Raia Jr.
and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his
wife, Terese Raia; to his children, Deborah Smith and her husband,
Rix, Sam B. Raia III and his wife, Mary Lynn, Elizabeth Backiel, and
Mary Margaret Giles and her husband, Doug; to his grandchildren,
Hannah Basel, Regis Giles, Scott Nunez, Andrea and Zachary Spruill,
Robert and Teresa Backiel, and Corrine and Melissa Smith; to his
brother, Russell; and to his other relatives and many friends; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Sammy Raia.