Hartland, Vt. —
He was born Feb. 24, 1939 in Montpelier, Vt., the son of Donald H. and Blanche (Byrd) Rafus, Sr. After graduating from High School he enlisted and served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. Following his honorable discharge from the service, Don returned and served in the National Guard. Later he attended a trade school to further his education.
He worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Plant in Windsor, VT and then later as a machinist at Cone Automatic Machine Company also in Windsor, Vt.. Following the shop’s closure he was employed for a time at Vermont Castings in Bethel, Vt. During the mid 1980’s, Don worked doing maintenance work at Brookside Nursing Home in White River Jct., Vt. There he met Doris Davidson.
They were married in 1989 in Quechee, Vt. Most recently Don worked helping set up mobile homes at Dales Mobile Home Park.
He was predeceased by a sister Ann and is survived by his wife, Doris, three daughters, Dawn Rafus of Cornish, NH, Suzanne Rafus of Cornish, N.H., Kara Mace of Hartland, Vt., a son, Matthew Rafus of Hartland, Vt., Michael Rafus of Maine, two step daughters, Theresa Morey of Windsor, Vt., Jane Cervenka of Florida, step sons, Bert Tatro of Tunbridge, Vt., Earl Tatro of Enosburg Falls, Vt., several grandchildren, great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held Tuesday morning, Aug.1 at 11 a.m. in the Ascutney Cemetery in Windsor, Vt.
Memorial contributions maybe made to the Alzheimer’s Association, VT Chapter, 300 Cornerstone Drive, Suite 128, Williston, VT 05495. Condolences may be expressed to his family in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com
The Knight Funeral Home in White River Jct., VT has been entrusted with arrangements.