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BORN

1933

DIED

2019

FUNERAL HOME

John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home, Inc.

88 East Main Street

Meriden, Connecticut

Rafael Collazo Obituary

Rafael Collazo, 85, devoted husband, father and Meriden town elder, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 24, 2019, at the Connecticut Baptist Home in Meriden. Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, on October 28, 1933, Rafael was the son of Marcelino and Providencia.

In 1950 he moved to the United States and soon became a community leader in Meriden. He was a political pioneer, as the second Puerto Rican to sit on the Board of Aldermen, the president of the Hispanic Action Agency, and a founder of the Casa Boricua de Meriden, a social service agency devoted to Hispanic residents in need. Rafael was elected president of the first union local at the International Silver Company, where he worked until retirement. After retiring, he joined Maier Realty as one of the only Hispanic realtors in the area and taught a UConn course to help minorities start small businesses.

Rafael's compassion for others, which extended into his long and successful career, began at home. He always put others before himself, and his kitchen table was often filled with people seeking his help and advice. His son, Raphael, Jr., "Papo", describes him as "the kindest, most caring man I have ever known," and his daughter, Carmen Coleman, writes that she is "humbled and proud" to have him as a father. He loved to play traditional Spanish songs on guitar and passed his musical talent on to Papo and his grandson, Jamie.

He is survived by his daughter, Carmen and her husband Daniel, of New Britain, his son Papo and his wife, Julie, of Berlin; his grandson Jamie and his wife Mindy, of Nashville; three step-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his grandson Alexander Gonzalez, and his beloved wife Teresa, who died in 2018.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be held on Friday, May 31, 2019 at 10 A.M. at St. Rose of Lima Church, 35 Center Street, Meriden, CT 06450. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery. There are no calling hours. The John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home, 88 East Main Street, Meriden, is entrusted with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Rafael's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For online condolences, please visit jferryfh.com.

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

Published by The Record-Journal from May 26 to May 27, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Rafael Collazo

Sponsored by John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home, Inc..

Not sure what to say?





Franky Gonzalez

June 29, 2019

Papo,
My thoughts, prayers and condolences to you and your family on this Great Loss. He was truly A legend in Meriden and will be terribly missed !

Dad with Cesar Chavez

Carmen Coleman

May 29, 2019

Linda McFadden

May 29, 2019

My condolences to the family. Rafael is a beautiful soul. May God rest his soul.
Linda McFadden

Bonnie Geremia

May 28, 2019

Carmen, I am so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you.

May 28, 2019

Papo, I am so sorry to hear your sad news and that I am unable to attend the service. I saw your Dad at Christmastime when my grandson was caroling with his scout troop at the Baptist Home. Ironically, he was sitting with Kubeck' s mother. I told him who I was and he told me Nick had just been there to visit. I also told them both that you and Diane knew each other and they both laughed. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts. Maureen Blotney (Murf)

Glenn Centola

May 28, 2019

Ralph & The Collazo Family, my deepest sympathy in the loss of your Father and family Patriarch. Thoughts and prayers abound.

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Memorial Events
for Rafael Collazo

May

31

Mass of Christian Burial

10:00 a.m.

St. Rose of Lima Church

35 Center Street, Meriden, CT

Funeral services provided by:

John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home, Inc.

88 East Main Street, Meriden, CT 06450

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