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BORN

1933

DIED

2018

FUNERAL HOME

Ryan-Parke Funeral Home - Park Ridge

120 South Northwest Highway

Park Ridge, Illinois

Raffe Simonian Obituary

Raffe Simonian. Age 85 of Park Ridge. Beloved husband of the late Ferryl nee Fisher. Loving father of Leslie, Lara (Mark Beougher) and the late Kira Simonian. Dear grandfather of Vincent Simonian, Jordyn and Shannon Pietroske. Dearest great-grandfather of Arya and Callisto. Brother of Judith (John) Wittmus. Visitation Tuesday, May 8, 3-8 p.m. at Ryan-Parke Funeral Home, 120 S. Northwest Hwy.(2 blks. S. of Touhy), Park Ridge. Funeral Wednesday, family and friends to meet for a 10 a.m. service at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church, 6700 W. Diversey Ave., Chicago, IL 60707. Interment Private. Memorials to St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church. Funeral Information, www.ryan-parke.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chicago Tribune on May 6, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Raffe Simonian

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Eric Puls

November 11, 2018

Always enjoyed stopping by his jumbled, mess of a store. The tv on and the record player blaring. Enchanting. Always found something neat to buy. And then the hour-long post-transaction counter conversation. Nutritious chats. The man had great taste in movies. Really knew his stuff. The golden age of Hollywood natch, but also kept abreast of the latest indies. And his passion for music just oozed out of him. A unique cat. I'm truly glad that I got to know him. Peace, Raff.

Deborah Altman

May 11, 2018

Mr. S. as I called him..English teacher at taft then later on a good friend through our love of records, music and birds. He is so missed already. He was such a treasure. Condolences to the family.

May 10, 2018

Thank you for the beautiful stories you told about your musical experiences.You will be missed.

Steve Swon

Bob France

May 9, 2018

I got to know Raffe through my boss at the Park Ridge Police Department Larry Herzog. Larry was one of Raffe's former students at Taft. Larry assig ed me to assis Raffe in Tracking down several hundred of his jazz records that were stolen by a guy he hired to help him list all his records. As I worked the case I got to be good friends with Raffe and his dog Toby.I arrested the guy who took the records. He got some back and some restitution. Unfortunately no where near what was taken. The bad guy got a felony conviction and probation. A couple years later Raffe came to us asking us to help find his dog which was missing from Milwaukee Avenue about five miles into Chicago from Niles. I was never able to find Toby for him and felt bad because Raffe was heartbroken. About two years later Raffe came into the police station with Toby and he was crying as he told me the story of how he went to a garage sale in Niles in search of jazz records and found Toby. Toby had apparently ran away from the dog sitters house in Chicago and was going home to Raffe's house by running down Milwaukee Ave where Niles Police found him. The lady adopted Toby from the shelter. He said that Toby's new owner gave up Toby to Raffe with the promise that he would bring Toby by for visits.

Mike Kessler

May 8, 2018

I've known him for decades, ever since Raffe's Record Riot was on Northwest Highway in Chicago, then Cicero & Montrose. Always a story and a joke - sometimes obvious, or sometimes dry humor. He knew a lot about music and I'm going to miss him.

May 7, 2018

Deepest condolences to family & friends. Raffe was a customer & later a competitor in the world of music for decades. May your happy memories sustain you all through your loss.

Warmest regards

Val Camilletti
Val's halla Records
Oak Park, Il

Bob Craig

May 7, 2018

I knew Raffe for over 40 years from the early record shows. I enjoyed his sense of humor. He had a vast knowledge of jazz. I will miss him.

The Staff of Ryan-Parke Funeral Home

May 6, 2018

Offering our deepest sympathies during this time.

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Memorial Events
for Raffe Simonian

May

8

Visitation

3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Ryan-Parke Funeral Home - Park Ridge

120 South Northwest Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068

May

9

Funeral

10:00 a.m.

St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church

6700 W. Diversey Ave., Chicago, IL

Funeral services provided by:

Ryan-Parke Funeral Home - Park Ridge

120 South Northwest Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068

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