SAVANNAH, GEORGIA - SFC Raymond Gradillas “Tabby” Tabanico, U. S. Army (Ret.), 82, of Savannah, Georgia, husband of Sonia Cordova Tabanico, died Monday morning, January 3, 2010, at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Born in Phoenix, Arizona, he was a son of the late William Tabanico and the late Carmen Gradillas Tabanico. Tabby was a communicant with St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church. He played professional baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. Tabby was a decorated veteran having retired as a Sergeant First Class after 21 years in the United States Army. SFC Tabanico served in World War II and the Korean Conflict where he received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with a “V” for Valor. After his military service, he retired as a Tour Superintendent after 19 years with the United States Postal Service. Tabby was a member of American Legion Post 41 in Phoenix. He was a former little league coach, referee, and an avid sports fan who especially loved baseball.

Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Sonia Cordova Tabanico of Savannah, Georgia; one daughter, Lorraine Girard of Mountain View, California; two sons, Gary M. Tabanico of Apache Junction, Arizona, and SSgt Richard S. Tabanico, Georgia Air National Guard 165th Airlift Wing, and his wife, Carolyn, of Savannah, Georgia; thirteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 2 until 4 o'clock Sunday afternoon at Gamble Funeral Service, 410 Stephenson Avenue.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 o'clock Monday morning in St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church conducted by Monsignor Francis J. Nelson. Interment, with full military honors, will be at 2 o’clock Monday afternoon in Beaufort, South Carolina National Cemetery.

Remembrances: Wounded Warrior Project – Post Office Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517.