Tuesday, Dec. 7
December 7, 2010Thursday, Dec. 9
December 9, 2010
Ronald Joseph “Coonie” Traina, 76, a native of Houma, La., and longtime resident of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, died at 11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, 2010.
Mr. Traina moved to the Virgin Islands in 1967 to help build the first cable TV system in the Virgin Islands. He was very proud of the fact that in the early years of his career, he literally walked the entire island of St. Thomas in order to map the island for the cable TV system. He was affiliated with the Virgin Islands Public Television System, WTJX, from its inception in 1972 and was employed there since 1981 in various positions, including chief engineer. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and served in the Korean Conflict.
He is survived by his wife, Marie LeBoeuf Traina; son, Joseph Traina; daughters, Melody (Thomas) Stratton and Lisa (Matthew Quin) Traina; six grandchildren, Ronald, Samantha, Travis and Kathryn Stratton, and Dylan and Krista Forehand; sister, Merrill Breaux; extended family, Arnold and Helen Berry; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Cyril and Agnes Theriot Traina; and grandparents, Louis and Julia Hebert Traina, and Arthur and Julia Theriot.
Cremation will be by Davis Funeral Home. A celebration of his life will be held in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to the St. Thomas Humane Society, Attention: Lucy, P.O. Box 8150, St. Thomas, VI 00804 or call 340-775-0599.
