Born: September 1, 1933

Date of Ordination: May 28, 1960

Pastor of St. Anthony: July 1, 1974 - October 1, 2013

Entered Into Rest: August 1, 2016

Father James V. (Rags) Ragnoni, 82, a retired priest at ST. ANTHONY CHURCH in Akron, died from complications of a stroke on August 1, 2016. Born in Lorain, Ohio, he graduated from St. Mary High School in Lorain, Ohio.  He attended St. Mary Seminary and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Cleveland on May 28th, 1960.

He served the people of St. Anthony of Padua Parish for over 40 years, as well as the people of Holy Redeemer Parish in Collinwood, St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Mentor and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Wickliffe.   His greatest joy was celebrating the Eucharist and enlightening his parishioners through his inspirational homilies.  His love for the children of St. Anthony School was treasured by all.

Fr. Jim was also a treasured part of the Italian-American community of Akron.  He served as Chaplain for both the Council of Italian American Societies and the Italian American Professional & Businessmen's Club.

He enjoyed singing, golfing and sharing a good meal and conversation with family and friends.

Fr. Ragnoni is survived by his brother, Carl Ragnoni, several sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by: his parents, Vincenzo Ragnoni and Angela (Gacobelli) Ragnoni: his brothers, Ed, Vic, Armand, Matt, John and Vincenzo Ragnoni; and sisters, Mary Martinez and Ann Thompson.

Fr. Jim's body will be brought to St. Anthony's Church on Friday, August 5, 2016 at 3:00pm, 83 Mosser Place, Akron, OH 44310 where there will be a Vigil Service, followed by visitation until 9:00pm. The next morning, his body will be transferred to Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, 1905 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223,  where viewing will continue from 9am until the Funeral Mass at 11:00am. Burial will follow  at Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to St. Anthony School or Religious Teachers Filippini.