Raymond R. Saccoccia ’67 is director of the San Miguel Mission in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  How he wound up in northern New Mexico and serving as only the second lay person to hold the position of director of the mission, which is thought to be the oldest church in the United States, is a long and interesting story.

Born in Providence and growing up in Johnston, Ray was a hard worker as a youngster holding jobs as fish & chips cook at a VFW Hall and a bagger and cashier at Stop-and-Shop through his years at La Salle.

“I had to work very hard for my grades,” said Ray.  “Some of my most vivid memories are Brother Andrew  “volunteering” classmates at the book store after school for misbehavior and having Brother Edmund as my home room teacher for religion.  I liked playing baseball, although I didn't get to play nearly as much as I wanted. I had a secret desire to be a professional ball player well into adulthood.”

“I remember taking a trip with John Monte down to Florida right after graduation in 1967,” said Ray.  “I also remember coming back for my 10 year reunion and seeing Brother William as principal.  Our class does a pretty good job of keeping in touch.”  
 

Ray has been a traveling man since graduating from La Salle.  After a year at URI and one more at the University of South Florida in Tampa, when his tuition money ran dry, he enlisted in the United States Air Force.

“While I was a student at South Florida, I was a full-time production assistant at WLCY television in St. Petersburg where I set up props, lighting, audio and operated television cameras and audio consoles; directed from the floor and assisted in production of live and taped news, advertising and public affairs programs,” said Ray.

He did his Basic Training in San Antonio and Wichita Falls, Texas and not too long thereafter became a broadcaster with American Forces Radio and Television, Thule, Greenland where he produced and directed various radio and television programs.   During the balance of his Air Force years he continued with various broadcast assignments and took that expertise into the civilian world, at times while still in the service.

“I have been a morning drive-time radio host in Santa Fe, a radio program director in Colorado, a public affairs technician in the Colorado Air National Guard, a track announcer for Mile High Kennel Club and Interstate Kennel club and an Instructor at Baillie School of Broadcast in Denver,” said Ray.  I have hosted contemporary gospel music programs and was a radio station manager with American Forces Korea Network.  I also was an instructor at various colleges around Seoul, South Korea, interpreting current events in English, while at the American Forces Korea Network.  At one time during my broadcasting career I was told that I had to lose my Rhode Island accent – It was hard work but it paid off.”

In the midst of all this, he met his future wife, Shirley Cordova to whom he was wed in January of 1975 and continued his education having earned three associate degrees in applied science in public information, electronics technology and information management as well as a bachelor of arts in communication management and most recently a master of arts in theology through Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut. 

Shirley and Ray have five children:  Donna, living in Jacksonville, Florida, Ray Jr., a Chief Petty Officer in the U. S. Navy just returned from a fifth tour in the Persian Gulf area, and Shirley Anne, Tony, and Joseph, all who live in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

That brings us to the present.

Ray was the manager of safety and security at St. John’s College from 2006 until this past June where, among other duties, he chaired the campus safety committee.  And, of the San Miguel Mission, Ray told us that “this mission church was also once the chapel for St. Michael’s High School and College which opened in 1859.  The Christian Brothers later purchased the surrounding property and Mass is still offered every Sunday.”

“I am very active in the Knights of Columbus and am the K of C representative on the Santa Fe Fiesta Council – an organization that has been around for 297 years,” said Ray.  “I firmly believe that the most important things in life are faith, family and tradition.  I have found all of them here in the southwest and for me it is the best place to be.  That said, I plan to be back in Rhode Island next July 4^th for the Bristol parade.”

Ray can be reached via email at rayinsantafe@yahoo.com or by phone at 508-983-3974.