Obituary of HARVEY BERNARD RAFFIE

Harvey Bernard Raffie (Age 94) of Plainview, NY peacefully passed away on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 surrounded by his loved ones in the comfort of his own home. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Sam and Rose Raffie, where he resided for 17 years before graduating Arlington High School in 1941. He immediately joined the United States Navy. where Harvey proudly served in the Pacific and was honorably discharged in 1945 after surviving an attack on the U.S.S Henrico during the Okinawa invasion. Years later, he moved with his parents to Los Angeles, where his sisters, Renee and Bernice resided. Through his sister Renee, he met the love of his life, Shirley Yeskin, at a synagogue dance where it was love at first sight. They later moved to the East Coast, residing in Newark, New Jersey, where they were active members of Temple Sinai. While both working, they raised their two children, Jeff, a talented musician (Harvey bought him his first authentic guitar- which led to his career in the music industry), & Debbie, with the help of Minnie Yeskin, their Nana, who lived with them in their home in Hillside, New Jersey, before moving to Irvington, NJ until their retirement. As their health needs became evident, they began their final chapter with their move to Plainview NY, to be near their daughter, son-in-law, and 3 grandchildren where they spent their remaining time attending their athletics on weekends, academic & musical award ceremonies, graduations, etc. which filled their lives with many memorable moments. They became active members of the Plainview community by joining the Senior Citizen Club, Mid Island Y JCC Senior Program, and then finally, the JCC Respite group, where Harvey was the star of the senior group enjoying art classes, playing cards, and listening to music from the earlier days. Harvey leaves behind, a son, Jeffrey Raffie of Brookhaven Pa, Debbie Raffie Goldmeier of Plainview, New York, and 4 grandchildren, Jason Goldmeier of Reston, Virginia, Julie Goldmeier, and fiancee, Jonathan Shrem of NYC,& Alex Goldmeier, residing in Needham, Massachussetts, & Lauren Raffie, of Westchester Pa.