Ragno, Orazio "Gaston", 97 of Linwood, passed away peacefully in his home on November 22, 2015 surrounded by his loved ones.

Gaston was born on October 6, 1918 in Rosedale, NJ to Antonio and Josephine Ragno. Gaston has owned the Pleasantville Music Shoppe for the past 76 years.

Gaston graduated from Hammonton High School in 1937 and the Conservatory of Music in 1938. Gaston then started working for Harold Abrams, who owned the Pleasantville Music Shoppe. When Abrams wanted to retire, he allowed Gaston to pay a little money each month to buy the music shoppe. Gaston expanded the business, relocating the store from Main St. to its current location on 15 E. Black Horse Pike. He prided himself in serving local schools with band instrument rentals, offering in-store music lessons, selling pianos, organs and guitars, and even tuning the guitars himself. The store is operated today by his daughter, Joanne, but Gaston still continued to work until two months prior to his passing.

Gaston had to leave the store temporarily to join the United States Army in 1942 with the 77th Signal Company. He served in the South Pacific for two and a half years, being honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1944.

In 1951, Gaston married his loving wife of 64 years, Josephine Graziano. They resided in Pleasantville, then moved to Linwood in 1963.

Gaston was an avid Eagles and Phillies fan. He enjoyed boating, and especially crabbing. His favorite hobby was eating, especially his al-dente pasta and shrimp scampi.

Gaston was a member of Unico, Son of Italy, American Legion, and the Pleasantville Kiwanis Club, where he served as President in 1977. He also served as President in 1983 of the Pleasantville Merchants Association.

Gaston was preceded in death by his sisters, Frances Faden and Theresa Calderone; and brothers James and Joseph Ragno.

Gaston is survived by his wife, Josephine (nee Graziano). He was a loving, devoted father to his two daughters, Joanne Schilling (Jim Craine) of Smithville and Theresa Dougherty (Steve) of Landsdowne, PA; Gaston was extremely proud of his two loving grandchildren; Joe and Katie of Lansdowne, PA and many nieces and nephews and cousins.

The family would like to thank the special "angels" who helped Gaston and his family in his last days: nieces Dolores Lopresti, Roe Busick and Angela Crescenti; cousin Theresa Crimi; friends Pat and Craig Landis, and Ellen and Paul Wolonick; and AtlantiCare Hospice and hospice nurse, Kim DeClement. We are grateful for their kindness, love, and support, and for everyone who touched Gaston's life through his wonderful 97 years.

Gaston was a gentle, kind, loving person. He was always there to lend a hand to anyone. He was the most loving, supportive husband, father, and grandfather and we were truly blessed to have had him in our lives.

A viewing will be held on Friday, November 27, 2015 from 9:30am til 11am at St. Gianna Beretta Molla Parish/St. Bernadette's Church, 1421 New Road, Northfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Mays Landing.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Northfield/Linwood Kiwanis, PO Box 294, Linwood, NJ 08221.

Arrangements entrusted to and condolences may be left for his family at: adams-perfect.com