Ray Goñi
A memorial service honors Ray Goñi at Saratoga High
A memorial service for longtime Saratogan and Saratoga High School coach Raymond "Ray" Goñi is scheduled for April 24 at 2 p.m. in the SHS gymnasium, followed by a reception.
Goñi died April 14 at the age of 55, following a battle with cancer.
He was born Oct. 13, 1944, in Modesto and was a graduate of California State University, Chico. He came to Saratoga in the 1960s and taught for 30 years at SHS, where he wore many hats.
As assistant football coach and defensive coordinator, he helped direct the school to five Central Coast Section football championships. As girls' soccer coach, his teams won three CCS titles in the early 1990s. Over the years, Goñi also served as junior varsity baseball coach, varsity assistant wrestling coach and track and field coach. Additionally, he taught both physical education and U.S. history.
All three of Goñi's sons, Kyle, David and Raymond, played on the SHS football team. Youngest son Raymond, a senior, was a quarterback this past season. While his sons were growing up, Goñi was an active coach in Saratoga Little League. He was also famous in the league for his delicious barbecues, according to longtime family friend Bonnie O'Connor. He was also very proud of his Basque heritage, she says.
Survivors include wife Debbie Goñi of Saratoga, sons Kyle Goñi of Davis and David and Raymond Goñi of Saratoga; parents Katherine and Lefty York of Modesto; aunt and uncle MaryLou and Andy Butera of Campbell; in-laws Dorothy and Dave Teeple of Modesto; and many other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends.
All are welcome to attend the memorial service at the high school. A Mass is also scheduled for the morning of April 24 at Sacred Heart Church, 13724 Saratoga Ave., where Goni was an active member. For information about Mass time, call 867-3634.
Donations may be made to the Goñi Memorial Family Fund, in care of Comerica Bank, 14401 Big Basin Way, Saratoga, 95070.
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Saratoga, California Since 1975
