Obituary of Gerald Arleigh Rafuse

Gerald "Jerry" Arleigh Rafuse 81 of Parkdale passed away Thursday, April 26, 2012 in the South Shore Regional Hospital with family at his side. Jerry was the son of the late Frank and Sadie (Faulkenham) Rafuse of Parkdale. Jerry started work at an early age, mainly in the forestry industry, cutting, trucking and finally working in saw mills until his retirement. He was always on the go, whether he was working, or finding a gathering to socialize and swap stories. Jerry was well known for his abundant vegetable garden, fine sheared Christmas trees and brush, high quality farm-raised pork and beef, and for always jumping in to help neighbours and friends with whatever needed to be done. He was a caring and dedicated husband and father, often expressing his appreciation of his wife, and his pride of all three of his children – even travelled all the way to Yellowknife twice to visit them. In his later years, Jerry spent his time at home with family and friends, or at his cabin on Sherbrooke Lake, sitting on the porch telling stories, or taking a boat ride on a sunny day. He is survived by his wife of almost 50 years Alice (Moore) Rafuse; daughter Amy (Denis); sons Aaron (Gwen) and Arden; grandson Darian Savoie and step-grandson Tyler Gould. He is also survived by sisters Reta: Winnie (Bob) Evanson; Betty (Murray) Eisnor; Connie (Jacob) Penney and brothers, Thomas (Margaret); Frank (Viola); Donnie (Charmaine); sisters-in-law Beulah, Vivian and Joyce, many nieces and nephews, and his beloved bulldog Teena. He was predeceased by brothers Max, Roby and Calvin; sisters Belle Rafuse and Angeline MacDonald; and daughter-in-law Aggie. There will be no visitation by request. A public graveside service will be held 2:00 P.M., Monday, April 30th in the Parkdale Community Cemetery, Pastor Sam Jess officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jerry’s memory may be made to the Foundation Fighting Blindness (http://www.ffb.ca/index.html), Health Services Foundation of the South Shore (http://www.healthservicesfoundation.ca) or to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.