Rafael Rojas, an East Hampton Town resident for over 55 years, died on January 10, 2025 at his daughter’s house in Winchester, Massachusetts from Congestive Heart Failure. He was born on the Ides of March in 1934 in Colombia, South America. He was one of 16 siblings and a fabulous storyteller who loved to share his many adventures. As a young shoemaker in Bogotá, Colombia, and later as a petroleum field worker in the Amazon jungle, he survived two episodes of malaria before making his way to New York City in 1958, where he became an American citizen.
He met his wonderful wife, Rosalba Rojas, in New York City while attending English classes. Together, they worked hard to build and fulfill the American Dream. Rafael instilled in his two daughters, Elizabeth Silva, who lives in Aquebogue, NY with her husband Eduardo Silva, and Carmen Kenrich, who lives in Winchester, MA, with her husband, Walter Kenrich, the belief that nothing comes easily, and hard work is essential for success.
Rafael was proud to have worked for the owner of Welch’s Grape Juice Company and took great pride in being the caretaker for The Estate in East Hampton, NY, for over thirty years. He was known as an engaging man, with captivating green-blue eyes that drew in his audience as he shared his numerous adventures.
He loved to dance, and garden—his vegetables and hydrangeas were his pride and joy—fishing in the beautiful Long Island Sound and socializing with the wonderful community in East Hampton. He enjoyed sharing stories with his five grandchildren: Taylor Kenrich, Boston, Trace Kenrich, and Tatum Kenrich, Winchester, Ma, Victoria Silva in Austin, TX, and Monica Silva in Aquebogue, NY. He often shared particularly captivating stories with his three Kenrich grandchildren, who were inspired to write a children's book about their grandfather’s adventures in the Amazon jungle, which he would assert was a true story.
Rafael was a man of many talents, able to fix anything with a variety of tools. Those who knew him would agree that he was one of a kind and will be greatly missed. He will be buried next to his wife at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery in East Hampton, NY. The family plans to celebrate his life later this upcoming Summer.
For donations: East Hampton Senior Center, East Hampton, NY
BI Lahey Health at Home (Hospice), Danvers, MA in recognition of the fabulous clinical hospice team: Emily Haley, RN, Tammy Gray, RN, and Jennifer Quinn, LCSW.
He met his wonderful wife, Rosalba Rojas, in New York City while attending English classes. Together, they worked hard to build and fulfill the American Dream. Rafael instilled in his two daughters, Elizabeth Silva, who lives in Aquebogue, NY with her husband Eduardo Silva, and Carmen Kenrich, who lives in Winchester, MA, with her husband, Walter Kenrich, the belief that nothing comes easily, and hard work is essential for success.
Rafael was proud to have worked for the owner of Welch’s Grape Juice Company and took great pride in being the caretaker for The Estate in East Hampton, NY, for over thirty years. He was known as an engaging man, with captivating green-blue eyes that drew in his audience as he shared his numerous adventures.
He loved to dance, and garden—his vegetables and hydrangeas were his pride and joy—fishing in the beautiful Long Island Sound and socializing with the wonderful community in East Hampton. He enjoyed sharing stories with his five grandchildren: Taylor Kenrich, Boston, Trace Kenrich, and Tatum Kenrich, Winchester, Ma, Victoria Silva in Austin, TX, and Monica Silva in Aquebogue, NY. He often shared particularly captivating stories with his three Kenrich grandchildren, who were inspired to write a children's book about their grandfather’s adventures in the Amazon jungle, which he would assert was a true story.
Rafael was a man of many talents, able to fix anything with a variety of tools. Those who knew him would agree that he was one of a kind and will be greatly missed. He will be buried next to his wife at Most Holy Trinity Cemetery in East Hampton, NY. The family plans to celebrate his life later this upcoming Summer.
For donations: East Hampton Senior Center, East Hampton, NY
BI Lahey Health at Home (Hospice), Danvers, MA in recognition of the fabulous clinical hospice team: Emily Haley, RN, Tammy Gray, RN, and Jennifer Quinn, LCSW.
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