Dominic Nicholas “Dom” Raffaele, Jr.
November 7, 1964 - December 19, 2022
Dominic Nicholas “Dom” Raffaele, Jr., age 58, cherished husband, father, and pop-pop of Middletown, DE, passed away on Monday, December 19th, 2022 surrounded by his loving wife and daughters.
Born in Philadelphia, PA on November 7th, 1964, Dom was the middle child of late Dominic Raffaele, Sr. and Carol Raffaele. Dom graduated from Pennsbury High School’s class of 1982, and lived in Levittown, PA until he moved to Middletown in 1998.
Dom had a passion for living, he was the hardest working man, and was a fighter until the very end. Dom spent 31 years working for General Motors in Trenton, NJ, Newport, DE, and Lordstown, OH, where he eventually retired in 2015. He was a die-hard Philadelphia sports fan, claiming the day the Eagles won the Super Bowl was the best day of his life other than the day his grandson, Oliver, was born. Dom was also a huge Florida Gators fan, after receiving his college education from the University of Florida. Dom enjoyed many other things such as restoring his 1970 Camaro, kayaking, his eBay business, attending his nephew’s hockey games, nature, animals, and bicycling. You could often find him spending time with his friends at Little Italy Pizza Shop or saving an animal from the middle of the road.
Out of everything, nothing topped the love and admiration he had for his wife, daughters, and grandson. Everything in Dom’s life was done for them. Growing up, Dom coached both of his daughter’s MOT and Kirkwood soccer teams. With his family, he enjoyed traveling, camping, boating, taking rides in the car listening to music, bird watching at Bombay Hook, fishing at the drive on beach at Cape Henlopen, and lawnmower rides with his grandson in the backyard. He also loved to sing “You are my Sunshine” to Ollie.
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Susan Raffaele; daughters, Marisa Raffaele and Randi Raffaele (Logan Maynard-Stiles); grandson, who was his absolute pride and joy, Oliver Raffaele; siblings, Kim Raffaele (Steve Willhouer), Max Raffaele (Kate Raffaele), Jennifer Holtzworth, and Steven Raffaele (Jennifer Raffaele); step-mother, Cathy Raffaele; nieces and nephews, Stephen Monahan, Gina Monahan, Carolanne Raffaele, Alex Willhouer, Camryn Holtzworth, Nicholas Raffaele, and Victoria Raffaele; and countless other family members and friends.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Saturday, December 31, 2022, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 275 East Main Street, Middletown, DE, where a memorial service will be held at 11 am. Interment will follow in Old Drawyers Creek Cemetery, 2839 Dupont Parkway, Middletown, DE 19709.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations in Dom’s memory to support the crucial need for cancer research funding to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or online by clicking here or to one of Dom’s favorite charities, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or by clicking here.
Jen Raffaele
Can’t even believe it.
Miss you lots bro!
XOXO
Carmella Dennis
Dear Raffaele Family,
I am very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. My heart goes out to my sister Sue, Marisa, Randi and Ollie. Dom was a very hard worker. I can remember him working on holiday’s when he worked at GM. He loved his family. It is hard to believe that he is gone. He has been part of our family for a long time. I am glad he is not suffering anymore. I know he is in Heaven with Mr & Mrs Raff and Big Lou. They are all looking down on us this holiday. Rest In Peace Dom. We will all meet again some day. Love, Carmella
Laura
Our sympathies are with you Marisa and your family at this difficult time.
Bonnie Simmers
♥️❤♥️
He Will Be Remembered by EVERYONE
My Prayers are for you.
KIM, Put SMILE on each day, just for DOMINIC. ♥️♥️♥️
Melissa Hensor
Thinking of all of you during this difficult time😔So many memories of Dom from my childhood. My heart goes out to all of you. 💞
Angel & Jeff
Sue. Marisa, Randi, Oliver and the Raffael Family… my heart ❤️ is breaking for you all with the news. Wishing you all peace knowing you’ve gained an Angel to watch over you all.
With our Love & Sympathies
patricia ann getty
i am so sorry that your family has to go thru this . saying dom is not in pain any longer doesnt start to help you deal with this . it will take time and holding on to the good memories. celebrate his life helps but each year you will find things that will remind you of him . that will help you keep him alive in your hearts . love to all of your family . pattie
Brittany simpson
I’m so sorry to hear about Doms passing. Sending love and prayers to the family
Tracy Battisti
Sorry for your loss! My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time. 🙏🙏 He was such a kind man and could always make anyone smile! He will be missed.
Lisa
This service was absolutely beautiful. Spicer-Mullikin did a phenomenal job. Very professional, courteous staff and a beautiful facility. Thank you for making a difficult time for our friends so manageable.
Dom .. you will be so missed ,,