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Forrest "Fuzzy" Raffel

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Cornell University

Forrest Raffel Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Sep. 24 to Sep. 26, 2008.

Forrest “Fuzzy” Raffel, 86, of North Miami Beach, Fla., born May 14, 1922, passed away Sept. 19, 2008.He is survived by his loving family, his wife of 44 years, Gloria; his children, Ellen and her husband James Miller; Ginny and her husband, Len Karabell; Joan and her husband, Seth Koven; Marc Rubenson and his wife, JoAnn; Ellen Erlanger, and Jeanne Rubenson.He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Nina and Liza Miller, Jacob and Laura Karabell; Daniel, Zoe, and Eli Koven; Rachel, Gail and Sara Rubenson; and his brother Leroy and his wife, Shankey.Forrest graduated from the Hotel School, Cornell University and served in the Army Air Force during World War II.With his brother, he was the founder of Arby’s, Inc. which now numbers 4,000 restaurants.He was past president of Temple Israel in New Castle, and has served as board member of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center, Temple Sinai, Douglas Gardens-Jewish Home for the Aged, and served on the Executive Committee of the Foundation of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.Donations can be made to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, 4200 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, Fla. 33137.Funeral services and burial were held in Florida on Monday.Arrangements are by the Levitt-Weinstein Memorial Chapel, 18840 West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach, Fla.Please sign the guestbook at www.legacy.com/ncnewsonline/Obituaries.asp

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Recent Activity

May 2, 2025

bruh posted to the memorial.

January 5, 2009

Sy Lichtenfeld posted to the memorial.

January 5, 2009

Scott R. Jay posted to the memorial.

18 Entries

bruh

May 2, 2025

beautifotism

Sy Lichtenfeld

January 5, 2009

To the Raffel Family, my deepest condolences. I had the pleasure of working with Forrest on our "No Gatehouse Committee" for the neighborhood. His contributing efforts helped make that a successfull project and appreciated by his neighbors.

Scott R. Jay

January 5, 2009

It is with sadness that I learned of the passing of Forrest just today while reading the Sunday Herald. The Herald was recounting the loss of some of our community leaders and indeed, Forrest was one of them.

After many years of fighting against the erection of imposing guard gates in our community, and defeating the proponents twice, we were faced with a third attempt to force them upon us. At our open meeting, the leaders of the opposition were heartened by the voice of a newcomer to our cause who offered his assistance in helping guide our cause. Unlike others who often say they will help, Forrest truly rose to the occasion and our neighborhood is so much better off for his service.

On behalf of my wife, Marita, and all of your neighbors in Sky Lake, I wish to offer our condolences on the loss of a wonderful man and a community leader. He will be sorely missed.

Florida Congressional Committee

December 16, 2008

To the Raffel family,
The leadership and members of the Florida Congressional Committee extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to all of you.
Mr. Raffel was an effective leader and long-time supporter of our organization and its pro-Israel mission.
He will be sorely missed by all of us.

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Robert Mandelbaum

November 27, 2008

I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss.

Lynda Palmer

October 15, 2008

Dear Gloria,

It was because of our chance meeting at a mutual acquaintance's villa in the south of France that we became good friends. It has been one of the most engaging relationships that we have ever enjoyed. It was because of your invitation to visit Florida that Russell and I now reside in Boca Raton. We will miss Forrest and our dinners together. We will miss his generosity of spirit and that most wonderful twinkle in his eyes.

Rick Griffith

October 14, 2008

Dear Gloria,
It was sad learning of Forrest's passing. My condolences to you and the family. Both Forrest and Leroy had a great impact on my life. I'm very proud of my past association with the brothers Raffel and Mike Nadler.

Sincerely,
Rick Griffith

Barbara and John Cohen

October 14, 2008

We will always remember Forrest with the greatest affection. He was a wonderful, generous and engaging man, with a gentle and courteous wit. We valued the times we spent together with him and Gloria, in both France and in London and he will be sorely missed.

Charles & Brenda Sliker

September 26, 2008

On behalf of the entire Arby's Family, we wish to extend our sincerest condolences to the Raffel Family. Over the last few years, I had the distinct honor of getting to know Forrest a little better and learned so very much more about the vision and spirit with which he and Leroy founded and led the Arby's Brand for many years. We hope that Forrest's family will take comfort in the knowledge that he made an incredible difference in the lives of so very many people and that we will continue to carry on his passion and quest for excellence. He will remain in our thoughts and prayers as a small way of saying thanks for the meaningful and significant legacy he helped provide.

Judith Aaron

September 25, 2008

Dear Ginny and Len, Joan and Seth,
My condolences to you. I'm very sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Not only will you miss him, but the Miami Jewish Community has lost a great supporter.
Judith Aaron (Laurence Kirsch's sister)

STEVE BARON

September 25, 2008

FUZZY WAS OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER AT TEMPLE ISREAL IN 1957. HE WILL BE FONDLY REMEMBERED

Perry Sterling

September 24, 2008

Dear Gloria and family,

So sorry to hear about Fuzzy's passing. He was a great guy, and will be missed.

Gail & Len Silverman

September 24, 2008

Dear Gloria,
Our hearts go out to you on the loss of your dear Fuzzy.
Gail & Len Silverman

Don Dover

September 24, 2008

Sorry to read of Mr Raffel's passing away. I am a New Castle, PA native. Over the years I have had to set a lot of people straight about the name of Arby's. They have heard or think that is was from Roast Beef, RB. Many people never heard of the Raffel Brothers of New Castle PA. I remember going to the first Arby's in Boardman OH. The building was a replica of a Chuck wagon. I have a trivia book that states Arby's was from Roast Beef. I have tried to contact the author and the publisher to correct this error, but to no avail. Don Dover, Bradenton, FL

Maria Volpe

September 22, 2008

Dear Gloria, It is with great sadness I send you this note. I send my heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. Michelle called me as soon as she heard. I send my love. Maria

Joannie & Brian Bendel

September 21, 2008

Our deepest sympathy and loving thoughts are with you and your family.

carolyn Lockshin

September 21, 2008

Our caring thoughts are with you.

Carolyn and Rick Lockshin

Leonard and Sharon Panisch

September 21, 2008

We will miss our neighbor Forrest Raffel. He was a gentleman and a gentle man. Our sincere condolences to his beloved wife Gloria and the entire family.

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