Raia is best known for his long association with the Soo Line, where he was employed for 44 years. He photographed the railroad extensively, and his Soo Line photographs have appeared in many publications and books. His work was not limited to the Soo, however, and he photographed dozens of other railroads, especially in the Chicago area. He was the author of “The Milwaukee Road In Color, Volume 1: The East End” published by Morning Sun Books in 1995, and“ Spirit of the South Shore,” about the iconic interurban line, published by Heimburger House in 1984.

Raia was an active steam photographer, and for many years was a volunteer at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom, Wis. He was vice president of Historic Transport Preservation, Inc. a non-profit group that specializes in operating steam photo charters across the United States and Canada. He was also one of the principles involved in organizing photo trips using Soo Line 2-8-2 No. 1003 on the Wisconsin & Southern.

Raia is survived by his wife, Darlene Nee Ziemann, and two sons, Mike, a active railfan himself, and Tony.

Funeral services will be held July 6 at 10:30 a.m. at Cumberland Chapels, 8300 W. Lawrence Ave., in Norridge, Ill.