Richard C. “Rick” Rafuse, 75, passed away on Christmas day following a brief illness. He was born on January 11, 1939 to Helen M. (Gustafson) and Charles E. Rafuse in Norwood, MA. He leaves a brother Paul Rafuse and his wife Mary Ann of Acton; two nieces, Allison Scott and her husband, David of Wallingford, CT and Kristen Parton and her husband, Jim of Medfield; a cousin, Charlotte Jennings of Rockport, five grand nieces and nephews, Georgia, Andrew and Lucy Scott & Charlie and Ginny Parton, ages 5 through 1, who he dearly loved; a dog, Greta; a cat, Brody and many close friends who will miss his generosity, counsel and friendship.
Rick was raised in Walpole and graduated from Walpole High School in 1956. He graduated with a BS in Pharmacy from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston in 1962 and received a Masters of Education degree from Salem State in 1975. Rick was employed at Garner Pharmacy in Norwood, Tuck Pharmacy in Rockport and at CVS Pharmacy on Main Street in Gloucester as a pharmacist for many years until his retirement in 2007. In 1970, he earned a teaching certificate from Boston State and during the early 70s, he was a mentor to many Ipswich teenagers through his role as a Science teacher and class advisor at Ipswich High School. He enjoyed rekindling some of his old friendships with these students in recent years, affectionately naming the collective group “his kids”. Rick was actively involved on many of the City of Gloucester’s committees and was a member of several boards for many years. Rick was also currently active in Action, Inc., where he served as a Director.
He was an avid boater, owning, maintaining and operating a series of boats from sail to power. The ocean was one of his many passions, followed by his insatiable love of automobiles, their design and roadability. If you wanted advice on either, Rick was the "go to" person. He was on the board of Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue. Over the years, Rick and his golden retrievers were inseparable. He adopted a series of Goldens, most recently a rescue from Puerto Rico named Greta.
Rick was a kind, generous person with a great sense of humor and was dearly loved by his family and friends. There will be no visiting hours, but a celebration of his life will be held at a later date and will be announced through social media and the funeral home’s web site. Contributions may be made in his name to Cape Ann Animal Aid Association, 4 Paws Lane, or to Action Inc., 180 Main Street (both located in Gloucester, MA 01930).