James "Jim" Raverty

James "Jim" Raverty of Scandia, Minnesota, passed away holding the hands of his daughters on June 1, 2025, just two weeks after being diagnosed with a rare thyroid cancer. He is proceeded in death by his wife of 46 years Peggy Raverty who passed just five weeks earlier. He is also preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Mary Ann Raverty, and siblings Greg Raverty, Paul Raverty and Eileen Wiley. He is survived by his twin daughters, Megan (Marc) Raverty Scholten and Maureen (Lawrence) Peters; the joys of his life, grandkids Henry, William, Oliver and Hazel; and siblings Sherry (Jim) Laumann, Bob (Mary Lou) Raverty, Evelyn (Gary) Determan, Anita Magnuson, Chris Raverty and Pat Raverty.

Born second oldest of 10 children on the east side of St. Paul, Jim learned early the importance of family and hard work. After graduating from St. Bernard's in '65, he later went to St. Paul Tech to become an electrician. He stayed in the trade for over 40 years, working for Commonwealth Electric for the majority of that time. He moved out of his childhood home straight to his own house in Forest Lake after tech school, back when people thought that was practically halfway to Duluth! He started his family with Peggy and stayed in that home until building their dream home in Scandia in 1997. Jim prided himself on only having lived in three houses his whole life.

Jim embraced small town life in Scandia, where he participated in a variety of volunteer activities through the years, including the Lion's Club and Meals on Wheels. He enjoyed "going to coffee" daily for many years, where he debriefed the local news with the "coffee guys." He spent lots of time puttering around his two acres, always battling the buckthorn. He had several faithful dogs by his side through the years in Scandia, including Brady, who crossed the rainbow bridge just three weeks before Jim's passing.

Above all, his favorite title was Grandpa. He had a special way of connecting with each of the grandkids. From attending their recitals and games, to putting them to work in his yard with him, to his regular weekend drop-ins with donuts in hand. He emphasized the importance of both hard work and good humor, ensuring this legacy will live on with his grandkids.

A memorial for both Jim and Peggy will be held Thursday, June 19th from 4-7pm at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, 2800 Curve Crest Blvd., Stillwater, MN. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lakes International Language Academy, his grandkids charter school, so others can experience the bilingual education he was so proud his grandkids were afforded.