Rafael Villafane

Rafael Eugenio Villafane (nicknamed Papo) of New Windsor, New York, passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 81 years old. He was born on June 4, 1944 in Santurce, Puerto Rico to Ramon Eugenio Villafane and Aida Cecilia DeJesus Villafane. His parents moved to Astoria to build a better quality of life and instilled Ray with his drive and generosity. He spent many days with his beloved grandmother, Mita. Stephen joined the family in 1961. Ray graduated from Long Island City High School and completed his bachelors in history from Queens College. Ray’s son, Michael was born in 1966, while Ray juggled college and 2 jobs to support his new family. After living in multiple neighborhoods across the NYC metro area, he built his New Windsor home in 1988, enjoying views of the river and Catskills.

Ray was an insurance executive in NYC, starting his career at Chubb, moving onto Royal, Reliance, and ending his career at AIG, including retiring, heading back to work several times. In total, he worked in the insurance industry for close to 50 years and had a deep knowledge of all the intricacies of corporate insurance. He had a strong work ethic, commuting 2 hours to Wall Street and back to New Windsor daily, and loved his job. He was always willing to take time to answer questions and share insight. Ray also enjoyed cooking and hosting family and friends at his home, either around the dining room table or outside on the deck while he grilled. He always brought roast pork along with rice and gandules to a full Thanksgiving dinner that also celebrated his mom’s, great aunt’s, and grandson’s birthdays.

Ray was a lifelong skier, often holding Belleayre season lift tickets, including for this year, 2025/26. He shared his love of skiing with his grandson and gave Soren his first snowboard and boots. After his father, Ramon, passed away, Ray included both his mother, Aida, and aunt Ana Theresa on his cruise vacations. He loved celebrating Christmas with a “real” tree, the nativity set nestled by the Christmas train, and generous presents for everyone he knew.

Ray developed Crohn’s disease at a young age and related kidney failure happened later in life. In his last years, while doing dialysis three times a week, he was able to travel to NYC to meet friends for lunch, and MN to visit his son and family. In early December, Ray traveled to Key West with a long time friend. His younger brother, Stephen, frequently drove up from Astoria to enable Ray to live independently to his final day.

Ray’s extended family remembers him as a strong and generous person, who cared deeply for his family. One of many cherished memories is Christmas Eve at Carmen and Chichi (god-mother, aunt and uncle) DeJesus’ apartment in Manhattan and then the Bronx. He will be remembered as a devoted father, grandfather, and wonderful friend. He will be dearly missed; however his family finds comfort in the many treasured memories he leaves behind.

Ray is survived by his son, Michael, daughter-in-law, Valerie, grandson, Soren Eugenio and his brother Stephen. He will be missed by a long list of aunts, uncles, and cousins, spread across the US. He is predeceased by his parents, Ramon and Aida.

A mass to honor Ray’s life will take place at the Sacred Heart Church - St. Mother Teresa Parish, at 301 Ann Street, Newburgh, NY on Friday, February 13, 2026 at 11:00 am. For more information or to leave a condolence please visit www.pelhamfuneral.com.