Jorge Louis Carattini

Jorge Louis Carattini, age 80, of Southport, NC and formerly of Battle Creek, peacefully passed away Thursday June 5th, 2014 when unable to recover from a sudden & severe stroke.

Jorge (George) was born in Puerto Rico, June 10, 1933, to the parents of Rafael Gonzales Carattini & Anna Virginia (Orozco). Jorge was number 4 of 5 siblings & the son of a master sergeant-radio communications officer who later was an Aide to General Dwight D. Eisenhower. The military lifestyle took Jorge from Puerto Rico to Panama, to New Jersey, to VA, & to many ports in between over the first 20 years of his life. Learning Disabled from birth, Jorge did not attend school after age 8. He remained home with his family and began his lifelong dream to obtain a High School diploma. His oldest and only surviving brother Victor, returned to Panama in 1972, for the funeral of their mother, Anna Virginia, and brought Jorge to live with and be in the care of the Carattini family in Battle Creek, Michigan. His journey took him to Stockton, CA for 24 years before finally settling in the Carolinas with his brother and niece in 2011.

Regardless of his location, Jorge's perseverance and passion for learning kept him energized in the constant pursuit of academia and social activities. Jorge would often be seen riding his bicycle to out-reach school programs and various events throughout the community. Declining health interrupted his school efforts for the first time this past year. Jorge had completed 6 of the 7 sections of the GED program. In honor of his aspirations & efforts, he was scheduled to receive an honorary Diploma June 27th, 2014. Jorge's pride in his independence & self-care led to persistent achievement of the life skills to do as much for himself as he could. He was a leader in the disabled Learning Adult Community everywhere he lived. This earned him the right to live independently in programs in both Michigan and California. Jorge was an active participant of the After School Programs, Community Theatre, and Special Olympics in both Stockton, CA and Battle Creek, MI., including cultural trips to Hawaii, Panama & Puerto Rico. These endeavors earned him many achievements in the form of medals, acknowledgements and Awards. Jorge took special pride in being a member of the Knights of Columbus. He loved to volunteer in the KofC outreaches. Jorge will be missed. His attitude & work ethic were an inspiration to all who knew him. Due to his disability, Jorge encountered his share of disgruntled care providers & disillusioned civic workers. Through it all, Jorge made many friends. Known for his unwavering optimism, Jorge's belief that "God is Good, & therefore something good is about to happen" led to us all knowing his favorite saying: "It's all Great!" or, "It's all going to be Great!," Jorge was a staunch optimist; a lover of God, a lover of people & never spoke unkindly to anyone. He could get fussed when things did not go his way, but he never kept score.

Jorge Luis is survived by his brother Victor Raphael. He was preceded in death by his brothers Charles (Newark, CA), Richard (Seattle, WA), sister Mayra (Glendale, MD), and sister-in-law Marilyn Louise (Southport, NC). Jorge delighted in his large family that survives him, made up of many cousins, nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to contribute to the memory of Jorge may do so through the Carattini Scholarship Program by sending donations to, or, contacting the Battle Creek Community Foundation, One Riverwalk Centre, 34 W. Jackson St., Battle Creek, MI 49017-3505. (269)962-2101.
Cremation will occur and a funeral Mass was held at Jorge's home parish at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Southport, NC 11:00 a.m. Thursday June 12th, 2014. The family is being served by the Brunswick Funeral Service in Southport, NC.
Friends will be received at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home in Battle Creek, MI 10:00 – 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2014, where the family will share eulogies and personal remarks at 11:15 a.m.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Francis Marotti at St. Philip Catholic Church 12:00 noon Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Committal and inurnment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.