Michael L. Ras Obituary

Michael L. Ras was faculty at New Bedford High School in New Bedford, MA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Michael L. Ras.

School Role	Faculty
Date of Passing	Jun 29, 2011
About	Michael L. Ras, age 63, of Westport died June 29, 2011 at St Luke’s Hospital after a 3 month battle with cancer. He was the husband of Pamela J. (Sullivan) Ras for the past for 42 years. Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Henry and Helen (Koczerga) Ras, he spent his youth in New Bedford moving to Westport in 1971. A graduate of New Bedford High School, Class of 1965, Brown University, 1969, he also earned his Masters in Mathematics from the University of RI. Mr. Ras retired from the New Bedford Public School System after 35 years in 2004, where he began as a mathematics teacher at Normandin Jr. High School and continued to teach math at New Bedford High School for the mainstay of his career. He served as the Assistant Principal of Roosevelt Middle School for the remaining years, where, upon retirement, the Cafetorium was named in his honor. After retirement he continued to teach and was the lead math teacher first at the Feinstein High School and then William B. Cooley Health and Science Technology High School, both in Providence. He had been a member and past president of the New Bedford Educators Association and on the Board of Directors and Executive Board of the Massachusetts Teachers Association. Mike was a source of strength and was dedicated to his family. On a professional level he served as a mentor to many of his colleagues throughout his career; and in his spare time he enjoyed great food and wine, reading and music- especially the 50’s and 60’s-and traveling the world with his wife. Surviving in addition to his wife: 1 daughter Bethany S. Gallagher of Westport, 1 sister Barbara Ras and her husband Alfred Rucker of San Antonio, TX, 2 nephews: Jason and Brendan Feitelberg, 1 niece: Anna Rucker and sister-in-law Marilyn Seccombe and her husband of Donald of Gloucester. His funeral will be held Wednesday July 6, 2011 at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of Grace Church, 569 Sanford Rd. Westport. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours Tuesday 4-7 PM in the WARING-SULLIVAN HOME OF MEMORIAL TRIBUTE AT DARTMOUTH, 230 Russells Mills Rd. Dartmouth. Contributions in his honor may be made to Massachusetts General Hospital Thyroid Cancer Education and Research Fund, MGH Development Office, 165 Cambridge St. Boston, MA 02114. Burial in Beech Grove Cemetery Westport. Directions, tributes: www.waring-sullivan.com