Duane Ragis Sadula

Duane Ragis Sadula was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and passed away in Rockville, Maryland, after bravely living with cancer and diabetes for many years. While his gravestone will simply read, “Duane Ragis Sadula February 5, 1946 – March 18, 2025,” the dash between those dates represents a life filled with love, faith, and cherished memories.

The son of Lillian Rose Ragis Sadula and Alfred Peter Sadula, Duane grew up in Middlebury, Connecticut, alongside his loving sister, Patricia Rose. Duane’s memories of his childhood were like a collage of humor and admiration. Stories of “wildlife”: like the dog with a glass eye, the epic palmetto bugs of Florida or the time the elephant sat on his mother’s car bumper (wink) were intermixed with stories of perseverance: like his mother and aunt’s jobs during the depression or his grandfather’s immigration from Lithuania to become a butcher and shipbuilder. A standout in sports and scouts during his high school years, Duane also took joy in successfully matchmaking his dear friends, Mike and Char. He attended CW Post campus of Long Island University where he served as photography editor of the yearbook, the Opticon, graduating with his bachelor’s degree in 1968. During his college years, Duane was initiated into Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, forming lasting bonds with his brothers Chris, Robert (Jake), Don, and others, under the guidance of their pledge master, Frank.

Duane met the love of his life, Cynthia Anne Hayes, in 1967 while they were both college students. They married in 1972 and settled in Howard Beach, New York. Together, they welcomed their first daughter, Jennifer, in 1973, followed by their second daughter, Victoria, in 1976. Duane’s “girls,” (including Cynthia), were the light of his life. The young family moved to Long Island and enjoyed road trips to places such as Canada, Cape Cod, and Maine, as well as cruises to Bermuda and flights to Barbados. In later years, Duane took his daughters to incredible places like Italy and Mexico, but it was the unforgettable Turtle Trax journey Duane and Cynthia took across the USA in their RV that allowed him to truly appreciate his beloved country.

After graduation, Duane joined Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City, where he served as the assistant supervisor of hematology for 17 years, completing research studies into fibrinogen as well as others which he co-wrote. After suffering a back injury, he retired from Sloan Kettering to study chiropractic. Following his graduation from New York Chiropractic College in 1988, he established a chiropractic practice in Maryland. Duane served as the executive director of the Maryland Chiropractic Association from 1990 to 1994 and as president of the Maryland Board of Chiropractic Examiners for several years. Many of Duane’s patients became lifelong friends, and he cherished these relationships as family.

Despite Cynthia being the career educator, Duane found immense joy in teaching others. Whether Duane was deriving the etymology of a word (from its Latin root), teaching patients about the sources of their pain or tutoring cashiers at the local gas station- Duane relished educating others (much to the amusement of his daughters who thought he was simply in the store running a quick errand.)

During retirement, Duane and Cynthia found joy in their local church, Mother Seton Parish in Germantown. Duane was a faithful volunteer, demonstrating unwavering integrity and commitment to God and his country. His gentle spirit, generous heart, and kind smile left a lasting impression on everyone he met. In retirement, he flourished as an artist, creating beautiful jewelry using stones and metal to share with family and friends. He dedicated countless hours in his basement, crafting works of art. Duane also served as the webmaster for the Baltimore Gem Cutters’ Guild until illness prevented him from continuing. Throughout his health challenges, Duane exemplified deep faith, trusting in God’s will until the end, bearing his cross with grace and dignity.

Duane is survived by his loving wife, Cynthia, and his daughters, Jennifer (Peter) and Victoria, as well as his seven grandchildren: Christopher (Carolina), Kevin, Emily (Caleb), Abigail, Sarah, Thomas, and Norah. He is remembered fondly by his nephews Robert (Kristi), David, Jeffrey (Gina), Daniel (Kim), niece Christine (Terry), cousin Mildred (John), and brother-in-law Chip (Jill). Duane’s sister, Patricia Sadula Janvrin (Robert), predeceased him by three years, along with his parents Lillian and Alfred, and beloved aunts Edna Ribakoff and Alice Dekas.

Duane's life was a testament to love, faith, and generosity, and he will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. A Requiem Mass in celebration of Duane’s life will be held at Mother Seton Catholic Church, 19951 Father Hurley Blvd, Germantown, MD on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mother Seton Catholic Church in Germantown, MD (Capital Improvements Projects) or Montgomery Hospice - Casey House. To send flowers to the family in memory of Duane Ragis Sadula, please reach out to DeVol Funeral Home.