John Mathieu Raffiani

John Mathieu Raffiani, Sr., age 79, passed away at his home on Thursday, August 28, 2025 in Dayton, Tennessee. John was born on June 25, 1946 in Catskill, NY to the late Francois & Catherine (Whitbeck) Raffiani, was a 1964 graduate of Coxsackie-Athens.

Following a brief tenure in the US Air Force, where he received a medical honorable discharge, John pursued various careers. At a young age, he began caring for animals on neighborhood farms & ranches. His later occupations included performing as a cowboy in Carson City's outlaw show, trucking driving, building modular & log homes, selling central vacuum systems, driving buses, and owning restaurants. John was also recognizable by his CB handle, 'Frito Bandito'. He took immense pride in being a dedicated husband & father, which he deemed his most significant achievement. As a seasoned truck driver, John acquired extensive knowledge of the country's road network, relying on his atlas for navigation. He was respected for his exceptional joke-telling skills and ability to negotiate lucrative deals. Upon meeting someone, John would inquire about their origin and humorously remark, 'Okay, I'll speak slowly'.

John is survived by his wife, Roberta D. Raffiani, his daughters, Cassandra (Dwayne) Dauski, Renee Raffiani, Jennifer (Joey) Sablan, Kimberly (Jerry) Burns, daughter-in-law, Leah Raffiani; 12 grandchildren: Jocelyn, Dakota, Ean, Colton, Maggie, Sklyer, Landon, Sidney, Jasmine, Christina, Kenny, & CJ; 6 great-grandchildren and 1 due in February; brothers John (Joan) VanDenburgh & Roger (Bonnie) VanDenburgh, and many cousins, nieces, & nephews. In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his beloved son John M. Raffiani, Jr. and brothers, Phillip, Charles, Robert, Paul, Francis Raffiani, & Richard VanDenburgh.
There are no services planned. The family will hold a Celebration of Life later next year in New York.

You are invited to share a personal memory of John or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral & Cremation Service of Athens and the Cody family are honored to assist the family with these arrangements.