Joseph Ragulsky Obituary

Ragulsky
Joseph "Joe" Andrew
Ragulsky
November 8, 1964
December 20, 2024

Early in the morning of December 20, a very special person, left this suffering world, and entered his eternal life. No, he wasn't a CEO, or a famous celebrity, nor a famous orator. He was just Joseph Andrew Ragulsky, born to Frank and Helen Ragulsky, with Down Syndrome. What made Joe so important was how he kept those of us who knew and loved him focused on what is truly important in our lives: family, joy, and basic values. Joe started his formal education in a specialized school and became one of the first people in Pueblo to be mainstreamed into public education. Eventually, Joe graduated from Central High School where he found a love for swimming and playing the drums. In his senior year of high school, he was selected as a drum major for his undying dedication to the program. Joe moved to Colorado Springs eighteen years ago and became an aggressive competitor in Special Olympics and participated in swimming, basketball, baseball, softball, and bocce. He loved his classes with Therapeutic Recreation, especially drumming and golfing. He was always a competent, inspiring employee in each of his jobs: assembly line worker at PDI, "Soda Jerk" at Taco Bell, teachers' aide at Lifting Off Academy, and usher at Holy Trinity Parish where he collected Sunday offerings. Joe loved traveling to Alaska, Las Vegas, on cruises, and anywhere that required airplane travel. Joe's vibrant presence will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and the many acquaintances who knew and loved him; and, his spirit will always be imbedded in our passage to recognize and respect the contributions of all people, even those with disabilities, to the happiness of all people. Sleep well tonight in your heavenly home, Joe, surrounded by your mom, dad, and "bluthers", Frank and Robert. Joe's Celebration of Life will be at Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Thursday, January 2, 2025. His Rosary will be prayed at 10:30 a.m., Mass at 11:00 a.m., followed by a private family burial. In lieu of flowers, you may make a contribution, in Joe's name, to the Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Therapeutic Recreation Program, or to Special Olympics in Colorado Springs.