Raymond J. Marafino

Raymond J. Marafino of West Hartford, Connecticut, passed away on June 8, 2026 in the presence of family members, including Elizabeth, his wife of 65 years. Raymond was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, a circumstance beyond his control, on February 4,1934. He was the second child of Rose and Michael Marafino, who predeceased him. Following a reposeful somnolence in high school, Raymond found that neither his work in the factories of Waterbury nor his stint in the Army of The United States, were to his liking, so he hid away in colleges. Reappearing, he spent forty-eight years teaching, the last thirty-nine as a proud and happy faculty member of Greater Hartford/Capital Community College in Hartford, Connecticut, including the last three decades as Professor of English. He retired in 2008 with emeritus status. He loved and enjoyed the many hours as helper to his Liz in planning, preparing and carrying out numerous dinners for family and friends. Among Raymond's many other interests were selecting wines for those dinners; classical music, especially opera; fiction; history; political and other views of the world, including accounting for his own developing left-wing ankle-biting and growing resistance to non-rational, fixed-bayonet governing and religious dogma; climate change problems; secular humanism; labor movements; writing, including turning out a modest number of modest poems, some published; vegetable gardening; and encouraging replacing reliance on most absolutism with something smarter. Raymond spent much time over several decades in the gratifyingly physical work of refurbishing the 1825 farmhouse in West Hartford that became the family home in 1977. In addition to his wife, he leaves his children and their families: Maria Bateas (Gus) of Fort Mill, South Carolina; Matthew Marafino (Teresa) of Jennerstown, Pennsylvania; Mei Lun Marques (Paulo) of West Hartford, Connecticut; and Andrew Marafino (Kathy) of Torrance, California; grandchildren: Aimee, Elizabeth. Kristin, James, Brian, Brendan, Michael, Nicole, and Zachary; great-grandchildren: Andrew, Sam, Emma, Luke, and Natalie. Marguerite, an infant daughter, predeceased him in 1977. To these, numerous other relatives, and Raymond's precious friends-and they know who they are-he says thank you for your great tolerance, and good-bye. Any of Raymond's useful body parts will be donated, after which what remains will go into hiding, permanently. At his request there will be no public services.

Raymond J. Marafino

February 4, 1934 - June 8, 2026