Louis Joseph Tarnay has joined his creator in eternal peace, passing away unexpectedly in San Jose at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. He sustained traumatic head injuries resulting from a fall at his apartment in The Atrium on May 9.

Memorial mass will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 16 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Grass Valley, followed by internment in St. Patrick’s Cemetery.

Lou was 92 and had lived for many years in Penn Valley, was an active parishioner of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and a long time member of the Grass Valley Elks Lodge.

He is survived by sons Louis R. (Anna) of San Jose, Charles (Kali) of Honolulu, Hawaii and David (Elyse) Tarnay of Los Angeles; daughters Mary Ratcliffe of Grass Valley and Martha (Bill) Jinbo of Venice, all 17 of his grandchildren, Louis M. Tarnay, Jolene Cogbill, Jennifer Tarnay, Carol Frausto, Stephanie Angus, Donald Ratcliffe, Keani, Duke and Nalia Tarnay, Kevin, Kenneth, Karin Jinbo, Christine Lennon, Jessica Vaughn, Heather, Joshua and Matthew Tarnay; 10 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and many great- grandnieces and nephews.

He was predeceased on Jan. 31, 2009, by Florence, his wife of 68 years.

Arrangements are under the direction of Chapel of the Angels Mortuary in Grass Valley.