August Moraca

August Moraca


HAMILTON - August Moraca, 95, died at 6:29 a.m. April 29, 2009. Except for his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and 13 years living in Umapine, Ore., he spent his lifetime here in the Bitterroot Valley.

He and his wife, Jessie Carney Moraca, owned and operated the Box Elder Cafe in Victor from February 1959 to October 1972 when it was sold.

He was born in Pinele on Aug. 21, 1913, the son of Vincent and Rachel Moraca. Dad had eight brothers and sisters, Mike, Frank, Grace, Augustine, Mary, Joe, Dominick and Rosie. They had all predeceased him, so he was the last original Moraca still living.
He was an inveterate outdoorsman and could be found fishing the Bitterroot River, its tributaries or Big Creek Lake at any time of the year, in good weather or bad.

He, his sunny disposition and ready smile, his affection and love for his family will always be missed by friends and family who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his son, Ronald G. Moraca of Hamilton; his nephew Bud Moraca, of Victor; and his grand-nephew, Mike Moraca, of Missoula; nieces, Marion, Joyce and JoAnne as well as great nieces and nephews and numerous step-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Saturday, May 2 from 4-9 p.m. at the Daly-Leach Memorial Chapel. Graveside services will be Monday, May 4 at 2 p.m. at Riverview Cemetery.