Obituary of Joseph L. Ramnarine

Joseph L. Ramnarine, 86, of St. Paul, MN, passed away Tuesday, June 8, 2021.  He was born in British Guiana, South America on August 3, 1934 to James and Hilda Ramnarine. 

Joe graduated high school at age 15, and was a teacher for five years before coming to the United States in 1955. He graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1959.  He taught high school general science and Spanish for a year in Lewistown, MT before moving to St. Paul, MN.

Joe began his career in the heath care industry as a medical technologist at St. Paul’s Ancker Hospital in 1960. While at Ancker, Joe met and fell in love with Linda Lee Maas. The two wed on December 16^th, 1961. He became a Naturalized Citizen around this time and was very proud to become an American Citizen.

Joe and Linda settled in Roseville, MN and raised three wonderful children. While always putting his family first, Joe worked his way from med tech into acute care administration and finally into long term care facility management. He received his MBA from University of St. Thomas in Healthcare in the 1987.  His career as a nursing home administrator took him to several facilities: Walker Methodist Health in Minneapolis, MN, River Hills Living Center in Wabasha, MN and Highland Manor in New Ulm, MN.  His crowning achievement came in 1995, when he oversaw the design and construction of Oak Hills Living Center of New Ulm. He served as the Head Administrator of the facility until his retirement. 

In retirement, Joe enjoyed telling and sharing childhood stories to his children and grandchildren.  Family time was extremely important.  He took pride and joy in watching his grandchildren grow.  For many years, he and Linda spent their time together going to the various school activities and sporting events of their grandchildren. His hobbies included gardening, reading books, watching TV movies, and, at the top of the list, was playing golf.

Joe enjoyed being an active volunteer and helping the community.  He was a Sunday School teacher, Rotary Club member, math tutor through the Moundsview School System and a counselor for aging seniors.

He dedicated his life to those he loved most: Fuzzduzz, Paulito, Gippie and Mouse.

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Linda; their children, Josie (James) Trobec, Paul (Jaylea) Ramnarine and Kamala (Rob) Pickett; 7 brothers; 2 sisters; grandchildren, Christopher (Jessica) Trobec, Ashlee Trobec (Michael Diehl), Jacob Pickett, Nicholas Ramnarine, Maxwell Pickett, Lilliann Pickett, Andrew Ramnarine and Rachel Ramnarine; great granddaughter, Norah Trobec; and many nieces and nephews. 

A Celebration of Joe’s life will be held on Monday, June 21 at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the memorial service, followed by light refreshments at The Cremation Society of MN, 1979 Old Hudson Road, St. Paul, MN 55119, 651-789-0404.

Joe was very much about assisting those in need. Should you want to make a donation in his honor, he would want it to be made to a local food bank chapter of your choice or Habitat for Humanity.