June 13, 1918 - July 1, 2013
COOPERSTOWN - Mrs. June K. Raffaele, a former resident of the Village of Cooperstown, passed away Monday afternoon, July 1, 2013, at The Loudonville Home for Adults in Loudonville. A beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great grandmother, she was 95 years old.
Born June 13, 1918, in the Bronx, June was one of eight children of Andrew Jacob and Loretta (Seifried) Kieffner. Raised in Queens, she graduated in 1931 from St. Margaret Catholic School, and in 1935 from Grover Cleveland High School.
On November 23, 1939, June married John C. Raffaele in Queens. The Raffaeles made their home on Long Island where they were faithful members of St. Kilian Roman Catholic Church in Farmingdale.
While June enjoyed taking care of her home and family in her own quiet way, she was also employed for a time as a secretary for Kimball Systems, a manufacturing facility in Farmingdale.
In 1990, John and June decided to move permanently to Cooperstown; however, during this process John became ill and died on January 15, 1991. June resided at Old School Court, and was a communicant of St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown. Throughout her life, she was devoted to The Rosary.
In later years, June enjoyed travelling, including trips to Shrines in Canada. She especially enjoyed her trip to The Vatican in 2000 and her Mediterranean Cruise taken on her 90th birthday in 2008.
June is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Kenneth J. and Carole Raffaele of Centereach, Long Island, and Bob and Betty Raffaele of Colonie; two daughters and one son-in-law, Dorothy Martin of Baldwinsville, and Marylyn and James Maher of Hartwick; eleven grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her three brothers and four sisters, and one granddaughter, Susan Raffaele, who died May 12, 1980.
Friends may call at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, on Friday, July 5, 2013, from 3-7 p.m., when June's family will be in attendance.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, 2013, at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, with Fr. John P. Rosson, pastor, presiding.
The Service of Committal and Burial will follow in Fly Creek Valley Cemetery in Fly Creek.
A Memorial Mass will be offered at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 23 Crumtie Road, Loudonville, on Wednesday, July 10, 2013, at 7 p.m. Friends may call at the church preceding the Mass from 5:30 until 7 p.m.
As an alternative to flowers, June's family respectfully requests that memorial gifts in her memory be directed to The Loudonville Home for Adults, 298 Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville, NY 12211 or Community Hospice, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers, or call them at (607) 547-8822.