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Andrea “Ray” Minutoli
Andrea “Ray” Joseph Minutoli, aged 81, passed away peacefully at home in Novato on Friday, August 9th, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on January 14th, 1943, in Berkeley, California, Ray was the eldest of three sons born to Joseph and Marcella Minutoli of San Francisco. Ray’s early years were spent in San Francisco, where his father continued the family’s marble and ornamental concrete and stonework business–a legacy that Ray and his brothers would proudly carry on.
Ray’s family later moved to Marin County, where he grew up and raised his own family. Ray attended St. Anselm’s School before graduating from Marin Catholic High School in 1961.
On August 14th, 1965, Ray married Katsuko Hirai after a blind date where Ray took Katsuko to her prom at Terra Linda High School. The couple was approaching their 59th wedding anniversary at the time of Ray’s passing. They raised four children: Marianne, Kristina, Alicia, and Joe, in Novato, California, and Ashland, Oregon.
Ray enjoyed a successful career in stonework and construction, contributing to many significant projects, including the 1974 restoration of the Palace of Fine Arts, the Acqua Hotel in Mill Valley, the retrofit of the SF Ferry Building, the Lark Creek Inn Restaurant, and the Marin County Civic Center. In addition, during an early point in his career, Ray was the Director of Construction for Lucasfilm, Ltd. where amongst other projects, he led the construction of George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch in Marin County.
Beyond his professional achievements, Ray was a man of many passions. He found joy in glass-blowing, road biking, and car racing. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hiking, backcountry skiing and camping in the Sierras, as well as an ardent fisherman who enjoyed fly fishing and deep-sea fishing.
Hawaii was a second home to Ray, one where he became a life-long member of the Correa ohana. Ray was also instrumental in the growth of the sport of lacrosse in Marin County, taking on leadership roles within the Novato Lacrosse Club alongside Katsuko.
Ray is survived by his wife, Katsuko; his children Marianne, Kristina, Alicia, and Joe and their families; his brother Rebel and his family; his niece, Mechelle and nephew, Stephen; and eleven grandchildren (KC, Marley, Christopher, Jackson, Ashley, Matthew, Joshua, Tessa, Jacob, Andrew and Milla) . He was preceded in death by his brother, Steve.
A memorial service followed by a reception will be held on October 5th, 11 AM at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Novato.
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David Fitzharris
I heard from three friends about Ray's passing, but I was away until last night, and didn't have time to post this until after his service.
I was truly sorry to hear the news. He was a friend, and while I didn't stay in regular touch with him, it was wonderful to see him at our reunion in 2011. We ran relay together on the MC track team: I started and he finished. Boy, was he fast!
I remember one day when he showed up at school with a neck brace. He had been jumping on one of those in-ground trampolines that were popular for about a year. He tried a flip and broke his neck! No wonder those things disappeared.
I never saw Ray without a smile on his face and a positive attitude. Aloha, Ray. Mahalo.
Dave
Robert Holliday
Hello, folks.
Ray was the only truly fearless man I have ever known. He was a best friend. We did many things together, many of which should not be repeated here.
One memorable night we tried to fix the brakes on Jim Purtell's Chevy so we could go skiing the next morning. We did not finish and Ray decided to drive the clutchless brakeless car to his place on the top of Eliseo so we could finish. I'm driving behind him. He does a uuey at his place and heads down Eliseo to the other side. Downhill. As he passes me he yells at me to open the garage door. Open the door. No Ray. His Dad comes to the window and tells me Ray is down the hill waiting for me. Head down there. Ray missed a turn (no brakes) and lands on a short retaining wall. Still can see that car teetering on the brick wall, some teenage girls having a sleepover down below. The father, in a rage, yelling at Ray. Ray was barely able to hold it together and not break out laughing I laughed. Ray's father, Joe, did not. Interesting night. We did not go skiing...
The trampoline flip (a 3-1/2 that was actually a 3) broke his neck. He had a nasty scar on the back of his neck from surgery, yet he played football that fall.
Ray was the most thoughtful sensitive person I ever knew. He was a great friend.
Rest in Peace, my brother.
Bob Holliday.