Dr. Anthony Raffa Jr.

RAFFA JR., Dr. Anthony, 103 y.o., resided in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Raffa passed peacefully on September 30, 2014 at his home surrounded by family. Dr. Raffa is survived by his loving wife, Winnifred; his four sons, Frederick (Jeanie), Richard, George (Rene), and Anthony (Scott); his daughter, Janet (Gary); his step-son, Greg (Lisa), and step-daughter, Sharon, as well as grandchildren, Julie (Tom), Matthew (Robyn), Jackie (Warren), Brittany, Kristie (Steve), Kimberly (Jeremy), Richard, and step-grandchildren, Chad (Elissa), Casey, and Beth (Keith); and beloved great grandchildren, Alex, Sophia, Connor, Jake, Owen, Cimon, Cora, Landon, Sarah and Kimber; loving sisters-in-law, Susan, Bella, and Bernadine; and faithful friends, Charlie Rozell, Vera Curtis, C.J. and Pat Keel. Dr. Raffa was born in Brooklyn, New York to Italian immigrants. At an early age he aspired to become an Osteopathic physician and graduated from the College of Osteopathy in Kirksville, Missouri where he also became a member of the Acacia club and held its highest office. He returned to Liberty, New York and married his first love, Julia Vera Segar, a kind and gentile nurse from a nearby village. Tony and Vera set up house above his office and shared a special love. Following the birth of their second son, Vera died unexpectedly. Five years later Dr. Raffa married Helen Scobell, a home economics extension agent. They moved to Tampa with their two sons and infant daughter, where they were blessed with two more healthy sons. Dr. Raffa enjoyed a thriving medical practice, as well as a home filled with art, music, laughter, and love. He was active in the Masonic Lodge and became a Noble in the Mystic Order of the Shrine. When he was 82, he lost his second love Helen to cancer. At 85, he found love again and married Winnifred Wiley. Tony and Winn shared a once in a life time love and devotion to one another; never apart, always holding hands, they were an inspiration to everyone who met them. Dr. Raffa was a treasure to all who knew him and he embraced life with a wonderful optimism. He was a role model for all of us: fun, humble, tolerant, loving, gentle, and kind. A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held by Pastor Jim Yearsley on October 18, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Village Presbyterian Church, 13115 South Village Drive, Tampa, FL 33618, www.villagepresbyterian. com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Children's Hospital of Tampa, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607. Condolences may be shared with Dr. Raffa's family by visiting www.blountcurrycarrollwood.com.