A much-loved husband, father, and grandfather, John Arthur Raffa Jr, 76, of Bedford, MA, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday, April 29, 2015.

John was born in Boston, MA on October 19, 1938, the only son of the late John Sr. and Helen (Sloane) Raffa.

He was a graduate of Boston Technical High School in Boston and an undergraduate of Northeastern University with a degree in Business
Administration.

He served his country in the United States Army in Naples, Italy, operating and maintaining base communications, and was discharged in 1968 as a first Lieutenant in the Signal Corps.

He met his wife Anita L. Levensaler in 1961 and later married on October 13, 1962 in Waltham. They lived in Naples, Italy before moving to Bedford, MA in 1966, where they raised their family.

He worked for Itek Corporation in Lexington, MA and retired after 35 years as a Project Administrator. After his formal retirement, he worked as a custodian in the Bedford Public Schools and more recently was the Payroll Coordinator for Taylor & Lloyd in Bedford, MA.

John was a dedicated parishioner at St. Michael's Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus in Lexington, MA. Faith, family and fun was his mantra. All holidays were spent together, every birthday, graduation, christening, confirmation and even Super Bowl parties were spent with family. John, nicknamed "Papa Bear", had tremendous pride and joy in his children's and grandchildren's sporting events, musical art shows, equestrian competitions, dance shows and academics. He was also an avid Boston sports fan, especially of the New England Patriots. In retirement, he enjoyed vacationing in Florida and for many years vacationed with friends and family in their vacation home on Cape Cod.

John was a man of insurmountable compassion and extreme pride, and was devoted to his family. A man of simple pleasures, loving heart, sincere and honest in every aspect of his life, has certainly left this world having touched the hearts and lives of all who had the pleasure of sharing his company.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years Anita (Levensaler) Raffa and by his 4 daughters and their spouses: Deborah and Edward John Lloyd of Lexington, Patricia Eisenhauer and Michael Wagreich of Burlington, Jennifer and Dennis Taylor of Woburn, Kimberly and Michael Kasparian of Carlisle, and beloved grandfather ("Papa") of Brittany, Amber and Robert Eisenhauer, Emily and Jeffrey Lloyd, Julia and Jenna Taylor and Mia and Kelsey Kasparian. He is predeceased by his only son, Christopher Michael.

His funeral will be held from the Bedford Funeral Home, 167 Great Rd., Bedford, on Tuesday, May 5, at 8:00 A.M. followed by a funeral Mass which will be celebrated in St. Michael Church, 90 Concord Rd., Bedford, MA at 9:00 a.m.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Monday, May 4, from 4:00-8:00 PM.

Donations are encouraged in lieu of flowers to the St. Michael Church Parish Hall, 90 Concord Rd., Bedford, MA 01730 OR to The American Parkinson Disease Association Massachusetts Chapter, 72 East Concord St., C3, Boston, MA 02118.