Book of Memories for Thomas Raphael

Condolence From John S

Sat, 16 Nov 2019 12:56:55 EST

It was July 4th, 1976, the Bicentennial for the founding of the United States. The Shanahans met with Tom Raphael and his son, Alan, and daughter, Connie, for a white water canoe trip on the Dead River in Maine. We had a great time. The Dead River is beautiful and anything but dead. Benedict Arnold learned that in the Revolutionary War, when the river sank many of his boats as he tried to attack Quebec by canoeing up the Dead River. Tom waa a good friend from the 1970s up to near the end. Our condolences to his family and especially Pamela whom I met in 2000. John Shanahan Denver, CO

Condolence From John Ciriello

Mon, 04 Sep 2017 20:51:31 EDT

Tom, thank you for being such a great mentor to me concerning the historic importance of the Middlesex Canal and the people and places associated with it. You'll live on in my memories forever and it was an honor to have met you. May you rest in peace. John

Condolence From Duane Lucia

Sun, 03 Sep 2017 18:04:43 EDT

It was a pleasure to know Tom and to have worked with him on the Middlesex Canal exhibit at the West End Museum. Condolences to his family and friends.

Photo shared: Tom Raphael meteorologist 1.jpg

Fri, 01 Sep 2017 02:10:10 EDT

Condolence From Traci Jansen

Thu, 31 Aug 2017 21:10:39 EDT

Tom Raphael was an inspiration!

Condolence From Marlies Henderson

Thu, 31 Aug 2017 20:25:36 EDT

Tom's passing is a huge loss for anyone that ever knew him, yet anyone that had the privilege to know him is forever enriched. He was a realistic dreamer; a man with vision. He also had a great sense of humor - so he could persist despite dealing with folks that lacked his imagination. An unforgettable mentor.

Condolence From Dianne kirk

Thu, 31 Aug 2017 12:42:30 EDT

Our sincere condolences to the family from the Kirk family.

Condolence From Dianne kirk

Thu, 31 Aug 2017 12:40:16 EDT

Our sincere condolences to the family from the Kirk family23

Condolence From Valerie Kilduff

Thu, 31 Aug 2017 11:33:43 EDT

Connie, So sorry to here of the loss of your Dad. I know he was an integral part of your life and I hope you can, in time, smile when you think of all the memories you have of him. I'm sure he will be missed by all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Valerie

Condolence From Margie & Bill Doherty

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 21:54:09 EDT

Connie & Ken, so sorry for the loss of your father. Our prayers are with you at this time.

Condolence From Frank Kautz

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 21:38:36 EDT

I will truly miss Bro. Tom. I only knew him for a very short time of his long life, but for the past fifteen years he has been an inspiration. Retired, he did more work than most people still working full time. He volunteered to help out all of time. He was there for William Parkman Lodge whenever he was needed. He also did a great deal of work for the Middlesex Canal Project as well as other endeavors, personal and public. He was a man among men and will be missed by many. Fraternally, Frank

Condolence From Richard G. Allison

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 15:44:34 EDT

Tom was an inspiration to all of us at William Parkman Lodge. The Celestial Lodge Above welcomes a Titan of intellectual curiosity and a truly wonderful "Brother" and soul. What a long life well lived! Doubtless is his happy reunion with my classmate David. My sincere sympathy to his family.

Condolence From Gordon & Donna Grant

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 10:31:39 EDT

Our condolences on the loss of Tom. As well as being neighbors for many years Gordon was a fellow employee at Polaroid. We have fond memories of working with Tom & Elva at the Enka Fair photo booth. Sincerely, Donna & Gordon Grant

Story shared: Classic Tom

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 10:26:21 EDT

Though 95, Tom's mind was still sharp -- very sharp. We all enjoyed toying with his most recent invention, his latest -- last, it turns out -- patent. (Shh... its a secret.) Tom didn't want to found a new company to develop and market it, though because, as he said, "Starting a company takes time. Years, maybe. I'm not sure I have the energy." ... When I was Master of the Lodge, I tried to get Tom to join one of our committees; I thought he could benefit from being engaged in that way. "I can't do it," he said, "I don't have the time." "Tom," I told him, "It's no problem: we'll make it light on your schedule." "No," he insisted, "I mean it: I just took over the Lowell canal system. I'm managing 12 people and a million-dollar budget. I don't have the time." (That's paraphrased: I may have the details wrong, but you get the point.) I think Tom turned 90 that year. ... Tom grew up in The Depression. He told a story about how the grocer would put aside for his mother onions that had fallen out of the shipping sacks, sneaking them to her once a week: "Normally we got by on potato soup, but on Thursdays, we had potato-and-*onion* soup!" His enthusiasm was infectious; his popularity as a raconteur sometimes made it tough to get a seat at his table. ... He drank Wild Turkey (with a little water) and smoked one cigar a day -- no more. I have some Cubans I'd been saving for him, but he'd missed our July cookout. I was going to hand them over at our September meeting in a couple of weeks... I'm going to miss Tom -- his stories, his ribbing, our good-natured collegiate rivalry; indeed, his good nature in general. I think I'll tipple down some "brown liquor" in his memory; in fact, I've already started.

Condolence From Chuck Oman

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 09:26:20 EDT

Cherry and I were so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. Tom loved sailing, and was Commodore of Winchester Boat Club in the mid 1960s. He actively raced his Banshee on Mystic Lake through the 1980s. An engineer and former meteorologist, he was a committed environmentalist, and was active in campaigns to preserve entire Mystic River watershed and rebuild the Mystic Lake dam. He was a clear thinker and true gentleman, beloved and admired by all. He will be greatly missed.

Condolence From Diane Hatfield & Daniel Richard

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 09:03:55 EDT

Connie & Ken, So sorry for your loss, our prayers & sympathy are with you at this difficult time.

Memorial Candle lit by Pamela Raphael

Tue, 29 Aug 2017 18:11:37 EDT

Pamela Raphael