Public invited to Raggio rosary Sunday, funeral March 5

The family of the late former state Sen. Bill Raggio has announced plans for ceremonies to remember his life, including a public funeral Mass in Reno on March 5.

The memorials begin with a rosary service at 7 p.m. on Sunday at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Reno. A funeral Mass will be at 2 p.m. on March 5 at the same church on Bishop Manogue Drive. Both are open to the public.

Raggio died of respiratory illness on Friday afternoon (about 10 p.m. PST Thursday) while vacationing with his wife, Dale, in Australia. The 85-year-old Republican was the longest serving state senator in Nevada history. He retired last January after 38 years in the Legislature.