Frank Thomas Raffa

Frank Thomas Raffa, age 94, a 40 year resident of Washington Township and formerly from Detroit, passed away on Friday, February 17, 2012 at Sunrise Assisted Living in Rochester. Frank was born July 15, 1917 in Elmora, PA., the son of Carmelo and Antonia (Ferrara) Raffa. He was married for 70 years to Angela Dominick whom he wed on September 6, 1941 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elmora, PA. Frank worked in the coal mines of Pennsylvania before moving to Detroit, Michigan to work in the automotive industry. He worked at Hudson Motors, Pakard Motor Car Company, Metal Form Rolling Plant, Midland Steel, Chrysler Missile Plant, and ultimately Chrysler Corporation headquarters in Highland Park, where he retired as a metal model maker in 1982. In addition to his automotive work experience he also worked as a barber, an insurance salesman and owned a shoe repair business. His hobbies included woodworking, woodcarving, reading, playing musical instruments such as the harmonica, guitar, banjo and accordion. He was an avid hunter and expert marksman. He was a sergeant in the U.S. Army 2nd Battalion, 346th Infantry and saw combat in France and Germany during World War II and was awarded a Bronze Star for heroism. Frank is survived by his wife Angela of Washington Township: son, Charles, wife Diane and their children, Luis, Jose, Claudia, Gustavo of Bruce Twp.;daughter, Adrienne, husband, John Przybysz of Sterling Heights and her children, Thomas Aquisto, MD of Chicago, IL, and Michelle (Todd VanElsacker);daughter Connie of Beverly Hills;son, Nance, wife, Sherian of Rochester Hills and daughter Amy of Houston, TX;son, Frank P. and wife, Colette of Ortonville;son, Samuel PhD, wife Nancy, and their children, Anthony (Kaylee), Caroline and Jonathan of Rochester Hills;daughter Camille, husband, Richard Dietz of Detroit;son Anthony, wife Sandra, and daughters, Emily and Elizabeth of Kawkawlin;son, James, wife Lou Anne and daughters, Bethany (Evan Delmotte), Catherine, Sarah, Kristi of Washington. He is also survived by 2 great grandchildren. Funeral services will take place on Monday, February 20, at 10 AM at St. Clement Catholic Church of Romeo with burial to follow at the Bruce-Armada Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday February 19, from 2-8 PM at the Henry M. Malburg Funeral Home of Romeo with a rosary by the Knights of Columbus, Council #7018 on Sunday night at 6 PM. Donation to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen of Detroit would be appreciated. Visitation: Sunday, February 19 Malburg Funeral Home 11280 32 Mile Road Romeo, Michigan 48065 2 - 8 PM Services: Monday, Febraury 20 St Clement Catholic Church 343 S. Main Romeo, Michigan 48065 10 AM Interment: Bruce-Armada Cemetey Bruce Township, Michigan