This remembrance is part of The Cannata Report’s ongoing, conscious effort to make readers aware of the contributions of women in our industry. We first met Patricia Ragusa (Patti) long before “the turn of the century.” She was the wife of Ben Ragusa of Applied Business Concepts LLC (ABC) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is a veteran-owned dealership.
The wives of that era did not go to the dealership, however, you could count on them to support their husbands and privately share with their lady friends (also with families in the business) things that were going on. These women were aware, and no one knew that better than Carol Cannata. How I discovered this is a story worth telling.
When Brian Merriman became president of Toshiba, he was hosting his first dealer meeting. Brian reached out to me, saying that he not only wanted me to attend but Carol as well. He was adamant about it. We went to the meeting and had a grand time because, at that time, the meetings were beyond first class. In all my years in business we used the travel home to author our stories. At these events there was always a separate agenda for the ladies, so we only saw each other in the evening.
As I was working, Carol said, “Would you like me to share with you what I learned from the ladies today?” I said to her, those ladies were not involved in the business. What could you have learned? She buried me with information and authored my article. From that single experience we learned how knowledgeable the ladies were about what was going on in the family business. Patti was no exception.
It is with that awareness we position Patti’s involvement in the business as an extremely active one. With that, please allow me to share information passed on to me by her son, Jeff:
- Patti was born on 8/18/1944 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and died peacefully in her home on June 6, 2025.
- She attended Duro Elementary School in Baton Rouge and graduated from Baton Rouge High School.
- Patti was the first person in her family to earn a college degree, graduating from Louisiana State University in four years with a bachelor’s degree in education.
- Patti worked throughout college to pay for books, supplies, and tuition. Her parents, Elias, and Lucille Thomas, helped with tuition as well.
- When her father had a debilitating stroke, Patti and her mother sold Avon make-up, door to door, to help support the family of seven.
- Patti went on a blind date with Ben P. Ragusa, Jr., arranged by mutual friends. The happy couple eventually married on July 30, 1966, at St. Agnes Catholic Church. Her cousin, Fr. Nick Martrain, presided over the ceremony.
- Patti enjoyed teaching fourth grade students at Wyandot Elementary in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. Ben and Patti bought a yellow 4-speed, 1966 Ford Mustang, with a V8 289 engine, for her to travel to and from work. Ben recalls having to get her a seat cushion so she could reach the clutch!
A banana-color 1966 Ford Mustang similar to the car Patti Ragusa drove to her teaching job.
After Jeffrey was born, Patti found her true calling as a full-time mother. Stephanie, their daughter, was born in 1971. Patti’s passion for education continued as she helped her two children excel in scholastics, leading them both to college degrees. She also was active in their schools and even was the CCD (Catechism) director at St. Thomas More School in Baton Rouge during the 1970s. In addition, she tutored students who needed help and was instrumental in many of her students achieving high school diplomas and passing the General Educational Development Test (GED).
After founding and building OMNI Business Products in Atlanta for 20 years, Patti and Ben returned to Louisiana to start the new ABC business and take care of Patti’s ailing mother. For almost 30 years, old friendships were rekindled and new ones forged while her family grew around her in Baton Rouge. The past three decades have seen the birth of five grandchildren with two marriages and a flourishing family business as well.
Last year the Ragusas invited Carol and me to Mississippi to see their summer home, but the visit really was so much more than that. We will miss our old friend, Patti. May God grant her peace and eternal rest. Those of you who know Ben and Jeff, please reach out and share a little bit of their sorrow. We have always believed that is the kindest thing you can do for families who have lost an important member.
