complete obituary - not posted in Times Picayune

Published on August 08, 2009

Harold Rogers Ravain, Jr.

RAYNE - Funeral services will be held at Gossen Funeral Home Chapel Sunday, August 9, 2009 at 1 p.m. for , 60 musician for 50 years and president of Arabo Records, who left us for a fulltime gig in heaven Thursday, August 6, 2009 in the presence of his wife, mother, brother-in-law and friends at his residence.

Interment will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery #2, Rayne, LA.

He was born Thursday, October 7, 1948 in New Orleans, Son of the late Harold Roger Ravain, Sr. and Joycelyn Hurndon Adams.

He was a native of New Orleans and resident of Metairie. He was a 1968 graduate of Cor Jesu and attended Loyola School of Music. Harry was the longtime drummer for Benny Grunch and the Bunch, but in his life he toured the world or shared his recording talents with many including Tom Waits, Paul Butterfield, Dwight Yoakum, Ronnie Barron, The Fabulous Boogie Kings, GG Shinn, Jo-El Sonnier and many more. He was truly a New Orleans Drummer who loved his city and loved the music. He was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame with The Fabulous Boogie Kings, The Sparks, The Milestones and Benny Grunch and the Bunch. He was a longtime member and officer of the New Orleans Musicians Alumni Association. He was honored with an article in classic Drummer Magazine in the July, August and September issue of 2007.

Harry was a Master Mason who rose through the ranks of leadership and served as Past Master of the Silver Trowel Lodge in Los Angeles, California receiving his 25 year service pin. When he returned to New Orleans dual membership was granted to him by Germania Lodge and in his last year of life he proudly became a member of the Jerusalem Shrine.

Survivors include his wife Romona Alleman Ravain, His mother, Joycelyn Adams of Terrytown, La. His sister-in-law Karen and her husband Mac Dore of Broussard; Michelle and her husband Raymond Prejean of Rayne, his brother-in-law Michael and his wife Michele of Seabrook, Tx. As well as many nieces and nephews. In the last year of his life he reconnected with many of his Ravain family members without whom his life would have been incomplete.

Masonic service will be performed.

Pallbearers will be Benny Terranova, Robert Wilson, Andre' Neff, Mike Ravain Sr., Mike Ravain and Bob Fuxan. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Alleman, Raymond Prejean, Mac Dore, Dustin Kinney, Johnny Vindigni, Benny Antin, Bob Eichorn, Greg Murray, Alan Reese, John Blancher and Mike Ravain, Jr.

He was preceded in death by his father, Harold R. Ravain, Sr. and his in-laws Leo and Belle Alleman.

Friends will be received 1 p.m. until 9 p.m. Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9, 2009 from 10 a.m. until services at Gossen Funeral Home, Inc., Rayne, LA.

Friends may view the obituary and guestbook online at www.gossenfuneral home.net.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home, Inc. of Rayne, LA, (337) 334-3141.

Gossen Funeral Home, Inc.

Thank You

Today is hard .... but only for me and Harry's Mom.. He is resting peacefully in Rayne, LA. Thank you again for all the kind words, gestures and support over the past year. It was quite a year.. We met some wonderful health care people who gave us hope. Harry and I grew closer than we had ever been, he reunited with his mother, his friends showed him how much they cared - the benefits were amazing, he found a whole bunch of cousins, and had all of his in-laws get closer to us. Without each of you the last year would have been unbearable. He had a very touching and proud send off. Thank you to those who could attend and to those for which the turn around was too quick - I intend to have a memorial for him in New Orleans in October and create a foundation in his name to help Musicians and Masons with cancer.. It may take a couple of days before you here from me again but know that each of you are in my heart and I thank you for all you have done ...

Mona Ravain & Joycelyn Adams

Many Thanks

For all the kind words, the plants, the flowers and the visits today.. You are all precious people with huge hearts

Arrangements

The wake for Harry will be Saturday from 1-9pm and Sunday from 10a - 1pm. The services will be at Gossen Funeral Home; 504 North Polk St. Rayne, LA; 337-334-3141; www.gossenfuneralhome.net He will be buried on Sunday at St. Joseph Cemetery. He will have a Masonic Funeral. After we will gather at the American Legion Hall.

Please copy and follow this link for directions to the funeral home from New Orleans to Rayne..... http://www.mapquest.com/mq/1-UBrLhPf7j35wIPhN

There are several hotels in the area if you are interested in staying
in the area you must mention bereavement rate at the hotels..

At the Days Inn you must mention for Harry Ravain Funeral or Michelle Prejean -

See the following

Days Inn 1125 Chuch Point Hwy, Rayne, LA 70578(next to Chef Roy's) 337-334-0000
All rooms have Micro/frig, have free continental breakfast
Single $ 49.99 Double $59.99
Bereavement Rate ask for Devin mention rooms Michelle Prejean
Check In 3pm check out 11
*******************************************************************************************************
Best Western 1422 N polk Rayne, LA 70578 ( next to Sonic & Gabe's) 337-334-0060
King or 2 Queen $70.00 per night
Ask for Bereavement Rate rate given to me by Pesh
Check In 3pm check out 11
******************************************************************************************************
Super 8, 3001 Daulat Drive, Duson, LA 337-873-8883
$56.99 King o
2 Double bed room $60.99
Ask for Bereavement Rategiven to me by Agatha
Check In 3pm check out 11
******************************************************************************************************

Arrangements

I will be posting the arrangements for Harry later today. It was his wish that he be buried where I am to be - so all the services will be in Rayne, Louisiana. Rayne is just past Lafayette on I-10. I am hoping to have visitation on Saturday and burial on Sunday - but that is not conclusive yet and won't be until this afternoon..

Again - thanks to all you have stood by us along the way. Harry was a great man and the only things he ever needed were his friends, family and more importantly his drums. I pray that has already written and performed a new song and that it is one of joy..

Mona Ravain

He's Gone

Harry left this world at 615pm this evening.. Surrounded by friends and family he has joined God's Band..

Thank you all

More peaceful - much less pain..

Harry has had a very quiet and restful night. We seem to really have controlled his pain - I am able to move him a little without disturbing him. God has granted us that small favor. Just pray that he stays comfortable and peaceful until he and God are through..

Thank you all

Mona