Ramuel Raagas Volunteered His Time With Kids, Immigrants, and Politicians

Ramuel Raagas, was struck and killed early Tuesday morning, July 7, while walking along the Mass Pike in Natick.

Known as “Ram” to his friends and fellow Democrats, Raagas campaigned locally, in MetroWest, and even nationally for candidates.

“During the 2012 Obama re-election campaign, when Ram heard that I got deployed in Ohio - he insisted he will join me,” said Dhruba Sen. ”I tried hard to explain how tough it is going to be - we may have to work 20 hours a day.
Ram insisted and worked 22 hours a day to get Obama re-elected.”

Raagas also worked on the campaign for Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Sen said Raagas’ favorite photo ever was of him campaigning for Warren.

Editor’s Note: Sen, who took the photo, gave Patch a copy of the photo for this obituary.

“It is so very sad that we have lost our good friend Ram Raagas who lost his life in a tragic accident,” wrote Framingham Democratic Town Committee Chair Jerry Desilets, to Democratic Committee members yesterday.

“Ram was a most cheerful advocate for all things Democratic and worked hard to ensure that there was gracious comment or two to accompany the important public policy events of the day. Let us remember Ram as the kind and gentle soul that he so beautifully demonstrated over the years. I am sure all of you will join me in heartfelt mourning of his passing,” wrote Desilets.

Raagas made numerous trips to New Hampshire to campaign for Obama, said Sen.

“He and his mother opened up their house for Obama volunteers to continue their canvassing,” said Sen. “His mother cooked tons of food for all the volunteers.”

“Ram was a prolific canvasser, be it for political candidates or for voter registration,” said Sen.

“Ram was proud of his Democratic party, his kindness and generosity of spirit was bestowed upon everyone he came into contact with. He will be sorely missed by all who got to know him,” Desilets told Framingham Patch. ”He was a great booster for good causes.”

One of those causes was the Hoops and Homework programs in Framingham.

“I got to know Ram quite well because he volunteered at Hoops and Homework,” said Town Meeting member Herb Chasan, and founder of the Hoops and Homework.

Raagas would ”work with individual kids and purchase special books for them,” said Chasan. “It was wonderful to watch him in his quiet way while he connected with the youngsters. They really appreciated his efforts. He will be greatly missed.”

Raagas also was active with the Welcoming Framingham organization.

“Welcoming Framingham members will remember his untiring efforts to bring together first generation and previous generation immigrants,” said Sen.

He also was an active member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on Maple Street in Framingham.

“Ram really loved being a part of St Andrew’s, and he had many friends here.,” said St. Andrew’s Church Rev. Julie Carson. ”He was quiet yet quick to smile, had a kind and generous heart, and always enjoyed social events and supported our outreach. He was a fixture here, and we will miss him deeply.”

Raagas loved having conversations with fellow Democrats and new citizens to Framingham.

“Ram was a fantastic and incredibly interesting person. He was always thinking about how to help his fellow man, he loved our country and the opportunities it created and his passion showed clearly in every conversation,” said Bob Berman, a former Town Meeting member and a Democratic delegate to state conventions.

He was a “truly unique individual who will be greatly missed by all those who knew him,” said Berman.

Raagas was also a “great piano player,” said Sen. “Beethoven & Tchaikovsky were no-brainer to him.”

Sen said he wants people to home Raagas’ volunteering spirit, by volunteering at the Welcoming Framingham table at the Framingham Concert on the Green Friday night, July 10. Concert starts at 6;30 and volunteers are asked to arrive by 6 p.m., said Sen.

Funeral arrangements were not finalized as of 5 a.m. Wednesday, July 8. Patch will publish when available.

The facts and circumstances of the fatal crash are currently under investigation by troopers from the State Police Weston Barracks and troopers assigned to the State Police Detective Unit attached to the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office.

It is unknown why Raagas was walking on the Mass Pike.