Honorable Judge Milton Raphaelson

Honorable Judge Milton Raphaelson, 83

HOLDEN - Honorable Judge Milton H. Raphaelson, 83, of Holden formerly of Sturbridge and Worcester, retired First Justice of Dudley District Court, passed away peacefully Sunday, February 9th 2014 at the Ichabod Washburn Hospice with his loving family gathered beside him after a lengthy and courageous battle with Lewy Bodies Disease, Parkinson's and Cancer.

Milton and his wife Elizabeth (Kochanowski) Raphaelson celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in November with many family and friends in attendance at the Ichabod Hospice. In addition to his wife, Milton leaves four children, two step children and their families: Henry Raphaelson, his wife Karen and their children Justin and Spenser; Laurie Ballantine, her husband Mark, their children Scott, Katie and Rachel and their grandchild Connor; Candee Raphaelson and her husband Rick Goetting; Jeffrey Raphaelson, his wife Nicole and their children, Nicholas and Samuel; Edward Horniak, his wife Nancy and their son Brian; and Erick Horniak. Milton also leaves his brother Elliot and his wife Caroline of Orlando, Florida and his sister-in-law Phyllis Raphaelson of Brockton. He was predeceased by his brother Alvin. Milton leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins, a multitude of friends from all walks of life and his best buddy, Bo-Bo (his dog) who was a comfort to him over the past few years and will miss his company greatly.

Milton was born on September 16, 1930 in Worcester, to the late Harry and Sarah (Hozinsky) Raphaelson. He grew up in humble surroundings; a three-decker on the east side of Worcester. His father operated a grocery business, Raphaelson's Market on Pleasant Street. The market became a central part of Milton's life from when he first began working there as a stock boy until he closed the market more than 50 years later. He often cut meat at the market before his day started as a student, substitute teacher, college instructor and later, lawyer. Judge Raphaelson opened one of his first law offices in the market, his butcher's apron resting on a hook aside his suit coat. For Milton, his father's business was a life-long labor of love. As a well-established lawyer in his 50s, he enlisted his wife Bette, and daughter Candee, to make homemade soups and family recipes for a lunch menu, and he manned the butcher block every morning before he went off to court, to try to and save the market well after it became clear that a small downtown market was no longer viable.

Judge Raphaelson graduated from Classical High School, attended Northwestern University and Lake Forest College both in Chicago. He then proudly served his country in the U.S. Army as an E5 stationed in Korea. Upon his return from the service, Milton graduated cum laude from Clark University and later from Boston College Law School. Attorney Milton Raphaelson then practiced law in Worcester for more than thirty years, first on his own or with John Sousa and Joseph Cariglia, and then as a partner of Glickman, Fuller, Scannell and Raphaelson and later Raphaelson, Sousa, Fisher and Foley. In 1981, he formed Raphaelson and Raphaelson, where all of his four children worked at one time or another and still do today. As a lawyer, he placed honesty and integrity above all other considerations.

In 1990, Governor Michael Dukakis appointed Milton to a Judgeship in the District Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a position that he was honored to hold for ten years until mandatory retirement at age 70. Judge Raphaelson served as an Associate District Court Justice in Worcester and Springfield and as First Justice in Dudley. As a judge, Milton tried to make a difference. He believed that most of the crime that he saw in the District Court had its roots in substance abuse, and he believed in giving a person a second chance. He therefore used his position not so much to punish but to try to change the underlying behavior that he believed led to crime. As the First Justice in Dudley, he developed and operated a very successful substance abuse program with an average weekly attendance of about 100 people, a first of its kind program in which he required first-time offenders to attend AA meetings and report back to him directly their experience. He also required criminal defendants charged with hate crimes to read books and write essays on hate crimes as part of their sentencing. In 2000, Milton received the St. Thomas Moore Society Distinguished Ecumenical Award for his service to the bench, bar and community.

Milton will be remembered for his strong work ethic, sharp legal mind, quick wit, and his infectious sense of humor, which he never lost even through his difficult illnesses. He loved the law and lawyers. No family function was without talk of the law. Milton shared his passion for the law as a member of the Worcester County Bar Association and served as its President and on its Executive Committee. He was an active member of the Association, and greatly enjoyed the community of lawyers in Worcester. He read the Legal Lines every month, even after his physical participation declined. Milton also was a proud member of the University Club, a group of Worcester lawyers and judges who have met for years for dinner. Their last meeting was held recently at the Ichabod Washburn Hospice to allow Milton to participate, and for this his family is grateful.

Milton was devoted to his Jewish faith. He served as President of Temple Emanuel, Shaarai Torah West Synagogue, Worcester Ivriah Hebrew School, Worcester Community Hebrew High School, and Commonwealth Lodge B'Nai B'rith. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation.

Milton was active in his community as well. He served as a member and President of the Worcester National Council on Alcoholism and the Quaboag Quacumquasit Lake Association, the Board of Directors of Bancroft Human Services, Inc. and Adcare Hospital, Inc. Over the years, Judge Raphaelson was a featured speaker at many legal and civic functions on a wide variety of subjects, including capital punishment, alcohol and substance abuse and "non-observant Orthodox Judaism".

Milton loved his family, to whom he was dedicated throughout his life. He will be remembered as a compassionate, loving husband and father and grandfather. He encouraged and supported each of his children and step-children in all of their endeavors, never judgmental and always available as an advisor and confidante. He was a true role model, influencing through his actions three of his four children to make the law their life work. He acted as a mentor not only to his children, but also to many people in need of help. It mattered not to him where your life journey had led you or how many mistaken turns you may have taken. He was always ready to give you that second (or third or fourth…) chance to turn your life around.

Even after Milton fell ill, he remained positive, always trying to entertain or get a laugh from his guests. It was hard to be sad around him. He knew he lived a rich, full life, with the many relationships he developed over the years. We will keep his great smile in our hearts forever.

Milton's family will be forever grateful to the staff of Holy Trinity Hospice and the Ichabod Washburn Residence where Milton and his family were compassionately and attentively cared for over the past three months. They are truly a dedicated group of men and women.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 am at the Beth Israel Synagogue on Jamesbury Drive, Worcester on Friday February 14, 2014. Internment with Military Honors will follow at the B'Nai B'rith Cemetary.

The Memorial Observance for Friday will be announced at the time of the service. The Memorial Observance for Saturday, February 15th will be held at the Season's Club House, Seasons Drive, Holden, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to Shaarai Torah West Synagogue, 835 Pleasant Street, Worcester, MA or Holy Trinity Hospice, Ichabod Washburn Residence, 1183 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01603. The MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. is honored to assist the family with arrangements.

www.mercadantefuneral.com