Rafael H. Zaragoza, M.D., 52

HAYWARD, Calif. - Rafael H. Zaragoza, M.D. of Hayward passed away on May 19, 2007, in Washington Hospital in Fremont, where he was admitted following a sudden attack of cerebral hemorrhage. He was 52.

He was the son of Dr. Rafael A. Zaragoza of Dover, Del., and Alice Hufana Sison of Newark, Calif., and stepson of Mrs. B. Claire Zaragoza of Dover.

Chito, as he was fondly called by his family and friends, went to Indiana University for his under graduate and pre-med studies. He attended the Universidad Mundial Dominica College of Medicine, where he obtained his Doctor of Medicine degree.

He did his clinical rotation at Saint Francis Hospital in Wilmington, Del., with six weeks rotation at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover.

After completing his training in pain management at San Francisco General, he opened up practice and was the medical director of the South Shore Pain Clinic in Santa Clara.

After 12 years of private practice, he went into medical research and was with a pharmaceutical company doing clinical trials and testing when he died.

He is survived by his wife, Lois Casey Zaragoza of Hayward; his mother, Mrs. Alicia Sison; his father, Dr. Rafael A. Zaragoza; stepmother B. Claire Zaragoza of Dover; two brothers, Michael Zaragoza, M.D., and his wife, Sandra of Dover; Robert A. Zaragoza, M.D., LCDR, U.S. Navy, currently deployed in Afghanistan and his wife, Barbara of San Diego; two sisters, Dr. Sandra Zaragoza, DDS, a pediatric dentist practicing in Boston and her partner, Mauve Omahra; Nancy Zaragoza and her husband, Steve Fogg, both lawyers practicing in Seattle; and nine nephews and nieces.

Services were at Saint Anne Catholic Church, Cabello St. Union City on May 26, followed by funeral mass visitation at the Chapel of the Chimes Funeral Home, on Mission Blvd., Hayward.

Instead of flowers, donations can be made to the Rafael H. Zaragoza Elk High School Music Scholarship. He was an avid music enthusiast and had encouraged students to pursue music studies. For information inquire with Mario Hufana Sebastian, via e-mail at msebastin@egud.net, or send donations to 9800 Elk Grove-Florin Road, Elk Grove, CA 95624.