Kenneth Raffol ’51
Kenneth Raffol, Venice, FL, died January 10, 2025.
He spent his early childhood in Boston and West Roxbury, MA, and his family moved to Springfield, MA, in 1936. Ken graduated in 1945 from Springfield’s Classical High School where he was track team co-captain.
His first job was in the shipping room of Steiger’s department store in 1944, and in that same year, he joined the Army Air Force Reserves and became Acting First Sergeant NCO. He was trained as a heavy equipment operator. Ken was called to duty, serving at multiple stations, including Biloxi, Denver, Roswell, and Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific. His last assignment was to the Manhattan Project. He was sent to Roswell, where he joined an Air Force squadron and, after being investigated, was granted a top-secret designation. He was then sent to Kwajalein to participate in the first atomic bomb test drop on Bikini Atoll. He completed his service and was honorably discharged in 1947.
At Saint Michael’s, Ken was a pre-med major, earning his undergraduate biology degree and graduating in 1951. He then started his professional career, establishing the successful Raffol Insurance Agency in Agawam, MA, in 1952 and remaining there until he retired in 1992.
In addition, he owned and operated Raffol Realty and Center Cleaners in Chicopee, MA, during most of the 1960’s. Ken was the Springfield Fire Commissioner for many years and was chairman of the board for most of that time. He enjoyed the position and often spoke of his time there. He is recognized on a plaque outside the Odessa Street Fire Station.
Ken was involved in many clubs throughout his life, including being president of Northeast Enterprises and Springfield Lions Club. He was a member of the Agawam Rotary Club, the Springfield Board of Realtors, the Chamber of Commerce, and the VFW.
His most treasured hobby was being a member of the Shallowbrook Equestrian and Polo Center, where he was an avid polo player. He had a love of horses and owned several throughout his life.
Ken and his first wife, Yolande, were married in 1956 in Springfield, MA, started a family in 1966, and raised two daughters. The family enjoyed yearly vacations to Cape Cod and summer weekends with his mother, Lillian, at the cottage on the lake in Goshen, MA. He was a communicant of Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church in Springfield and was active in the community. He enjoyed many friendships, social activities, and events.
Ken and Yolande parted in 1982 but remained friends. After retirement, Ken moved to Venice, FL, and married his second wife, Lisa, in 2000. They enjoyed their mutual love of horses on their 5-acre property for many years. Ken was a proud volunteer in the Emergency Department of Venice Regional Hospital for 23 years. The staff and patients alike adored him.
Ken was preceded in death by a grandson and his first wife. He is survived by his wife, Lisa, two daughters and extended family.