Charles Russell Rafford

1931 - 2023

Charles Russell Rafford
Charles Russell Rafford, "Charlie", 91 of Clinton, CT, died Thursday, April 13, 2023, at Connecticut Hospice in Branford. Charlie was a modest, fun-loving man, quick to smile, with a very dry sense of humor. He was born October 1, 1931, in Waterbury, CT, son of Charles Francis Rafford and Viola Russell Rafford. He married the love of his life, Shirley Ellen Truelove of Waterbury, CT, on June 6, 1953.
Charlie graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Engineering, where he joined the Air Force ROTC. While his posting was delayed, Charlie worked at Flexible Tubing in Guilford, CT. He reported for active duty to Electronics School at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi in 1954. Following his training, Charlie was stationed at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska for 18 months during the Korean Conflict -- and always remembered the adventures he had there skiing and exploring the outdoors. He returned to Madison, CT after his discharge to work at Flexible Tubing until 1974, retiring from Kenyon Marine in Guilford, CT in 1993. He and Shirley bred dogs, gardened and raised horses for riding and driving at their home in Clinton. Together they enjoyed boating and fishing on Long Island Sound and birdwatching (birding). Charlie built and maintained over 50 birdhouses and installed multiple nesting platforms at Hammonasset State Park that enabled osprey to become established there.
A member of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity, Charlie also belonged to the Connecticut Valley Driving Club, the New Haven Bird Club, the Connecticut Ornithological Association, the Nature Conservancy and Menunkatuck Audubon Society.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Shirley Truelove Rafford, a son, James (Jacqueline Raczkowski Rafford) of Branford, CT; a daughter Cindy (Robert Porter) of Claremont, NH; a granddaughter Sarah Porter (William Sheehan) and a great grandson, Ernest Sheehan of Meriden, NH; as well as 2 step grandchildren, Casey Raczkowski, of Branford, CT and Erin Raczkowski Pirruccio of Middletown, CT and many nieces and nephews. Charlie was pre-deceased by his sister, Bernice Rafford Odell.
The funeral service will be Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the First Church of Christ, Clinton, CT at 10 am, with a reception to follow. Swan Funeral home is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the First Church of Christ Clinton, 55 Church Rd, Clinton, CT, 06413 or the Menunkatuck Audubon Society, Menunkatuck.org., PO Box 214, Guilford, CT, 06437.