WALTHAM, Mass. – Brandeis University men's soccer Hall of Famer Frank Raio, Class of 1983, died suddenly on Sunday evening at the age of 53.
Raio, a native of Hamden, Conn., starred on the Brandeis soccer team from 1979 to 1982, serving as captain his junior and senior seasons. Brandeis made four NCAA Division III tournament appearances in career. As a junior, Raio earned All-New England honors as he guided the team to the Final Four, where the Judges finished in third place. Raio is currently 25th on the University's career scoring list with 18 goals and 13 assists for 49 points despite playing defender and marking opponent's best players. Raio was inducted in the Brandeis Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006.
"Frank was the best defender I ever had," said head coach Mike Coven. "His leadership transcended beyond his performance on the field. Frank typified everything Brandeis soccer is about."
Raio, who graduated from Brandeis with a degree in sociology, earned his J.D. from the Quinnipiac University in 1991. Since 1993, he was been employed at the law firm of Biller, Sachs, Raio and Zito in Hamden, Conn. He has been the administrative partner with the firm since 1998. For 24 years, he had been an assistant coach at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Conn., helping the Falcons to the 2012 Great Northeast Athletic Conference title.
Frank's family will receive relatives and friends on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Washington Memorial Funeral Home, 4 Washington Ave., North Haven. Everyone is invited to go directly to St. Stephen Church, 400 Ridge Rd., Hamden on Saturday for a Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will be private.
Memorial contributions in Frank's name may be sent to the Frank J. Raio Scholarship Fund, c/o Hamden High School, 2040 Dixwell Ave., Hamden, CT 06514. www.washingtonmemorialfh.com