Raymond J. Rafalowski

Raymond “Ray” Rafalowski, age 82, of West Chester, OH, formerly of Erie, passed away Thursday, September 3, 2026. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Ray was preceded in death by his father, John Rafalowski; his mother, Helena (Puzarowski) Rafalowski; his brother, John Rafalowski; and his beloved wife of 49 years, Judith “Judy” (Wasielewski) Rafalowski.

He is survived by his children, Raymond Rafalowski Jr. (Melissa), Barbara Rafalowski, Joseph Rafalowski (Stacey), and Thomas Rafalowski; his sisters, Marilyn (Rafalowski) Buczkowski and Janet (Rafalowski) Uglow; his brother, Michael Rafalowski and Susan (Harcourt) Rafalowski; two granddaughters; and many nieces, nephews, family members, and friends.

Ray was a loving husband to Judy for 49 years and a devoted father who believed in working hard, taking care of his family, and always being there when someone needed him.

He spent more than 40 years working as a project engineer at Swanson Erie, where his ability to figure out how things worked served him well both on and off the job. He was also a proud member of the Loyal Order of the Moose for more than 45 years.

To most, though, Ray was simply Grampy.

Grampy was the life of the party, the smile in the room, the hug when you needed one—and the smart-ass comment if that hug didn’t help.

If there was a water leak, a clog, a wall that needed torn down or built, or just about anything else that needed fixed, Ray was there with his toolbox, ready to help. He was a hardworking, beer-drinking, golf-loving Grampy who never passed up a good time.

He loved his family, he loved to laugh, and he had a way of making life a little more fun for everyone around him. His humor, his hugs, his helping hands, and the memories he created will live on in the people who were lucky enough to know him.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

God willed it, and the creek finally rose.

Family and friends may call at Our Lady of Mercy R.C. Church, 837 Bartlett Road, on Saturday, September 12th, from 10 am until the time of the Funeral Mass there at 11 am. Interment will follow at St. Gregory Cemetery. After the burial, family and friends are invited to gather for a Celebration of Ray’s Life at the East Erie Moose Club, 6060 Iroquois Avenue, from 1 to 3 pm. Arrangements are being handled by the Dusckas Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. Condolences may be sent to www.dusckasfuneralhomes.com.