Remo Ferretti

Remo “Ray” Ferretti was born on April 1, 1928 in Parella, Italy. At 15 months of age, (July 12, 1929) Remo alongside his mother left Bambine, Italy for America. Mother and son had set sail to the US to reunite with Remo’s father who had left Italy before Remo was born. His father was born in Calumet, Michigan which automatically made him an American Citizen. According to his mother, it was Remo who always found their ship cabin room, as she always got lost. Smart kid! Upon arriving in America, Remo’s family settled in Chicago. Remo attended Lindbloom High School. Throughout high school he received good grades but really didn’t follow a college curriculum. He excelled as an athlete and received several scholarships offers. Because of his limited access to college prep classes, he chose the “University of Texas at El Paso”. He attended college with his closest friend from High School, Tom Steele, who arrived in El Paso a year prior on an athletic scholarship. Remo stayed at U.T.E.P for two years-and then transferred to San Jose State as his folks had moved to San Jose. After moving to San Jose State, he graduated with his “Bachelor of Arts” in 3 ½ years. With degree in hand Remo was able to begin his Student Teaching which he did and completed at Santa Clara High School. Remo “Ray” married his “Lovely Wife” Helen on July 26, 1952. Just weeks later, Remo was drafted in the U.S. Army. He was lucky as he was stationed at Fort Ord near Monterey Bay, California. Fortunately for the newlyweds, he was positioned as an instructor which kept him close to home and out of the war in Korea. Cindy, “the Gerber Baby” was born September 28, 1953. Following the birth of his first child he spent two years in the Army. While in the Military, he landed his first teaching job along with a $4,200 salary. Remo taught for two years, before he was notified that a coaching job was opening at Oroville High School. Off to Oroville California “The City of Gold”! Remo began his legacy in Northern California at Oroville High in 1956. Remo’s first son, Michael was born April 29, 1957 and his second son Richard followed two years later, on April 4, 1959. Now the family was complete, and Remo was a very proud father. As a teacher in Oroville, Remo spent his summers at San Jose State working on his Master’s Degree. He coached and taught at Oroville High prior to transferring to Las Plumas High School in 1963. With several years of teaching experience and a respected coaching resume, he moved on to Butte College in 1968. He always said he was very fortunate to have been hired at Butte College- as so many had applied. He really enjoyed his years at Butte and retired after 24 years in 1992. Remo had always been passionate about the world of travel and from a young age had the bug of traveling and desire to see the world. With a young family Remo enjoyed taking camping trips with tents and trailers and has since traveled to every state in the US except for Alaska. He traveled to over 83 countries throughout the globe. Remo always felt fortunate to be able to travel, as it had brought him great pleasure. He felt traveling to see new countries and locations was such a learning experience with its rich history, arts and beauty hoping to pass the experience of seeing the world onto his children. “Although he was in charge of picking the country and locations, in most cases it’s a great choice!” He always stated that it gave him such happiness to be able to give this “travel experience gift” to his children.

"But most important in his life was his

family, Wife, children, grandchildren and

great grandchildren. It certainly has been

a wonderful life."  

He is survived by

His beloved wife, Helen Ferretti, and their three children: Cynthia Hite

Ferretti (and husband Christopher), Michael Ferretti (and wife Laurel),

and Richard Ferretti

Remo's legacy continues through his five grandchildren -- Brian Janosz

(and wife Nichole), Stacie Bickert Janosz (and husband Dan), Vince

Ferretti (and wife Andrea), Anthony "Remo" Ferretti (and Wife Ashley),

and Christina Zacker Ferretti (and husband Donnie) -- and his nine

great-grandchildren -- Carter Janosz, Alexis Janosz, Sadie Bickert, Brady

Bickert, Alora Ferretti, Cecilia Ferretti, Viviana Ferretti Kailea Zacker,

and Torin "Remo" Ferretti.

He was deeply loved not only by his children and grandchildren but also

by their spouses, who shared in the laughter, stories, and family travels

that defined his life. Remo's family will forever remember him as a

devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher, coach,

patriot and friend -- a man who lived a Wonderful life.

"Bon Voyage, Grandpa Remo."

In Honor of

Remo Ferretti

1928-2026

Gathering & Welcome

Invocation & Prayer

Military Funeral Honors

3 volley rifle salute and taps

Flag folding and presentation

Reading

Grandchild (Brian & Nichole) read - Remo's life story

Grandchild (Anthony) read - St Frances Simple Prayer

Eulogy

Prayer & Benediction

** Luncheon to follow at 1pm

Historic Oroville Inn

2066 Bird St, Oroville

Dad’s Eulogy at graveside 4/17/26

As we just heard from Remo’s grandchildren, Brian and Nichole, Remo was blessed to have a long and wonderful life. Remo was very grateful for the many opportunities sports gave him to pursue a teaching and coaching career. Dad worked during a “golden coaching era” in the Oroville area from ‘56-68 at both Oroville and Las Plumas High Schools. He learned from the best: Johnny Johnson, Herm Stauss, Hugh Harrison, and Norm MacKenzie. Remo was just one of many talented coaches. The list is lengthy - Ken Arnold, Joe Felipe, Joe High, Wes Martin, Hack McInturf, Duard Millet, Bob Powers and Al Walsh.

It was a time when high school PE and sports were the crucible that forged boys into men. The coach was a “role model” and “mentor.”

Remo had a deep respect for his colleagues. Remo enjoyed the friendship of many different coaches and families over the years. A quick list of some of these families were - the Johnsons, MacKenzies, Ricketts, Highs, O’Neils, Walsh, Powers and Lyssys. For example, I remember seeing the first super bowl in ‘68, the Packers versus the Chiefs at Chet and Cindi Lyssy's house.

Remo told me on a number of occasions how other coaches had helped him be a better coach and person. He understood “iron sharpens iron.” For example, Norm MacKenzie suggested Remo take a gentler approach with young athletes.

I want to make a quick shout out to all the athletes and their families - to their hard work, commitment to excellence and work as a team for victory. One very special memory was the Woodson family – 3 brothers; Benny, Henry and Leon, all played on the gridiron at Las Plumas in the 60s and 70s. Henry and Leon also played at Butte College.

Remo had a deep respect for the high calling of teaching and coaching. Thus, he was very disciplined, dedicated and organized.

Since Remo’s identity was so closely identified with coaching, I thought I would share a few points of his coaching philosophy.

He led by example and was totally hands-on. I mean literally. When he was teaching his grandsons, Vince and Anthony, how to wrestle, he would demonstrate the wrestling moves, as a 75 year old! Another example was Dad teaching and kicking field goals w Vince at Oroville High at age 73, making the holder too.

* Remo was friendly, outgoing and engaging with students and people in general.

* Remo was knowledgeable - a student of the game and a master of preparation.

* He would say, "Luck is where preparation meets opportunity.”

I remember in his early coaching years Remo constantly went to clinics to learn new methods and formations. For example, he took me to hear San Francisco’s quarterback John Brody speak on the passing game. My brother Richard remembers going with Dad to other coaching clinics as well.

* His goal was not only to win on the field, but to mold student athletes who would be good citizens.

* Remo developed relationships by caring and treating everyone fairly. Dad did not show favoritism.

* Remo looked at the potential of an athlete. He would say, "It's not where you start, but where you finish that counts."

* Remo had a lot of words of wisdom that he shared with everyone. One he preached often and lived out, was “The Golden Rule:” treat others as you want to be treated.

I would like to share a few of Remo’s personal sport memories & contributions to local schools

● 1st: as a football player …
Remo earned varsity letters in track and football at Lindblom High School in Chicago. He was All City and All-Central Section first team his senior year in 1946, the year after WWII ended!

In college, he played for Texas Western (today UTEP) in the 1949 Sun Bowl!

● 2nd: in coaching at Oroville & Las Plumas HS’s from ‘56-68
Remo was the first Las Plumas football head coach for 7 yrs and at the inaugural Victory Bell game in 1962
He also was a planner at Las Plumas establishing the PE & Athletic program, along with the iconic obstacle course

● 3rd: in coaching at Butte College …
Remo was a part of the inaugural Football Program coaching staff w Don Rogers – he was an assistant coach (Def line) for 6 yrs from ‘68 to ‘73. He then stepped down to spend more time with family.
Remo started the Butte College Wrestling Program in ‘68 and coached for 24 years, compiling 300 team wins and 5 championships!

* Interestingly, Remo had never wrestled before, but it does appear by Dad’s notes he started the OHS Tigers wrestling program in ‘58.

* Remo was fully committed to his teams and took good care of his wrestlers. He enjoyed taking his wrestlers out to dinner after tournaments. As a student at Cal, I remember meeting up with the team at Spangler’s and at Los Aptos after wrestling tournaments. Remo was a truly great mentor and role model to his athletes and family.

● 4th: and last as a planner and administrator at Butte College
Remo along w Don Rogers developed the original PE, Health & Rec Dept program in ‘68-69
Remo was involved with planning for the new campus facilities
Remo was also the PE Dept Chair from ‘70-79

* I saw my dad thrive in this capacity. He really enjoyed it. It was not an easy job, but Remo was a gifted administrator, diplomatic and a great people person.

* My mom, Helen, was the strong woman behind my Dad. They worked well as a team. She empowered him to reach great heights as a coach and spend so much time at tournaments. She said, Remo was most proud when awarded Emeritus standing by Butte College upon retiring in 1992.
Looking back I have lots of fond memories with Dad. One of the best traditions was going out to Butte College football games with Dad in the fall. Over the last 50 years I watched more than a hundred games with Dad at picturesque Cowan Stadium. At age 95 he could still walk up the stadium stairs to watch his Roadrunners! The tradition of excellence that Remo built has continued with Butte winning multiple championships.

For Remo “Family” was everything. As his Italian parents would say, “la famiglia è tutto.”

* Remo was always a provider and protector of the family.

* He set high standards in all areas of life and taught us to never let our family down.

* Remo really adored his mother-in-law, Noni (my grandmother). She would live with us for 6 weeks after each Christmas. Then we would drive to see Noni in San Jose for Easter. This was the pattern for decades. This set an example for us – family comes first.

* As an only child, Remo was so proud to be accepted into the Purdy family with brother-in-laws Chuck and Ed; as well as sister-in-law Francis. We enjoyed a lot of extended family time.

* Remo also took Noni on several trailer trips. The most memorable trailer trip was in ‘73, the summer before my junior year in high school. It was a 10 week loop of the entire United States!

God has given both my parents a long life. Remo married Helen in ‘52, so this year in July would have been 74 years of marriage. She was truly, the love of his life!

* Remo and Helen have lived in the same home since ‘59, so 67 years, only two blocks from Oroville High School.

Remo enjoyed living in Oroville and Butte County. I think the foothills of the Sierra Nevada reminded him of his Piemonte homeland in Italy

Before closing, I should briefly share of Remo’s last year’s. Remo battled dementia for 12 years. Our family came to a point where we needed help to take care of Dad. By God’s grace, we found Iris Care Home. It’s a small room and board facility that usually has 8 residents. They became Dad’s extended family, the last 4 years of his life. Owner Nicoletta along with staff Becky and Gai provided excellent and loving care. Thank you Iris and the good Lord.

Dad stayed positive, encouraging and thankful to the very end.

Amazingly, even though Dad had dementia and was totally blind the last 2 years, he always recognized your voice. I enjoyed countless conversations with him. We discussed everything from family and sports to Scripture. Anthony and Laurel provided wonderful music on a regular basis. Remo was their most vocal fan! Vince would call and remarkably Remo could still converse with him in Italian. We still did a lot of family activities together, including family feasts. Mom and siblings, Cindy and Rich, all found their own routine with Dad.

In the last weeks of Dad’s life, I helped facilitate a video call with Vince and Andrea. They announced that they named their bambino Torin Remo Ferretti, with the middle name in his honor. Remo was happy to hear that and replied, “Really? You gotta be kiddin’ me!”

Now I am going to close by sharing a tribute by Coach Jim McNulty. Coach McNulty was my freshman and JV football coach at Oroville High School for the ‘71-72 seasons. Then in the ‘80s on, for 20 years he was the varsity head coach leading an extremely successful football program.

Coach McNulty wrote: “Mike, I was deeply saddened to learn about your father's passing. Remo has always been a positive role model for me, beginning with my days playing football at Oroville high school. Throughout the years, I continued to hold him in high esteem, as he always represented himself as a man of character, integrity and high ethical values. Whenever I interacted with Remo at various social gatherings over the years, I left feeling as though I had spent time with an icon. Remo lived a good life. His strength and dedication as a coach have always inspired me.”

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