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Lieutenant Colonel USMC Paul H. Rafi, 98, of Point Pleasant passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at Willow Springs in Brick. Mr. Rafi retired from the US Marine Corps as a Lieutenant Colonel after 30 years of service to his country. During his unprecedented career, he served through three wars, The Guadalcanal Campaign in WWII, the Korean and Vietnam Wars from 1941 - 1971. He was a decorated soldier who received the Bronze Star with combat, the Navy Commendation Medal with combat, the Navy Unit Commendation with One Star, the Presidential Unit Citation with One Star, the Good Conduct Star with Four Stars, the American Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic – Pacific Campaign Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with One Star, the Korean Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with Four Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation of the Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation. Mr. Rafi was a true American War hero who lived by the mottos “For God, Corps and Country” and “Semper Fi”.
Born in South Amboy he was raised in Red Bank and lived in Rumson for 34 years before moving to Point Pleasant 15 years ago.
Mr. Rafi was predeceased by his wife, Leola (Morris) Rafi in 1994; son, Richard W. Rafi in 2016; brothers, Steve and Carl Rafi; and sisters, Mary Stone, Emma Perrine, and Rose Rafi.
Surviving are his sons, Thomas P. Rafi of Point Pleasant and Harry C. Rafi and his wife, Lee of Hurst, TX; daughter, Marie Rafi-Ciociola and her husband, Louis of Brandywine, MD; six grandchildren, Cailyn Rafi, Justin Rafi, Michael Rafi, Travis Rafi, Christine Marinari and her late husband, Michael, and Heather Lee and her husband, Maurice; six great grandchildren; and seven great great grandchildren.
Visiting will be on Friday 4-8pm at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 505 Burnt Tavern Road, Brick. A prayer service will be conducted 9:30am on Saturday in the funeral home. Burial and Military Honors will take immediately following at Fair View Cemetery in Middletown. Donations may be made in his name to Compassus Hospice, 1955 route 34 South, Wall NJ 07719 to the National Kidney Foundation.