George Raff

He said what he meant and meant what he said. Even through his illness George put others’ needs first. “Make sure you grab that afghan if you’re cold” he’d call out to his wife from his hospital bed. He loved the wind in his face, out on the open road; George would let Jessie get out in front of him on her Honda, then come roaring past on his Harley. A good cigar, some clams, a cold beer and a dog by his side was the formula to keep him happy. Of course it was all the better if he was relaxing down in Seaside Park. George enjoyed a nice round of golf; his job as groundskeeper at Laurel Creek was a natural fit.

He’d country dance his way into Jessie’s Egley Raff’s heart; their friendship blossomed into a 35 year marriage. He is survived by his mother, Rowena; his step daughter, Donna Rae; his brothers, Glenn (Virginia) and Lloyd; brothers-in-law, Edwin Johnson, James Johnson (Sue), and Nelson (Karin) Johnson; sisters-in-law, Marian Lockwood, Dorothy Johnson and Lillian (Peter) Malinowski and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, William, his brothers-in-law, Harry Johnson and Sidney Lockwood, his sister-in-law, Alice Johnson and his aunt, Marge Wagner.

Come celebrate 60 great years Friday 6-8 p.m. at Sweeney Funeral Home, Beverly where there will be a service at 8. In lieu of flowers, donations to autismspeaks.org will be appreciated.