JJames B. Raffel of Cutchogue died on Dec. 7, 2025, at home. He was 74 years old.
He was born on March 7, 1951, to Helen Sophie Troyan and William Bernard Raffel and lived most of his life on the North Fork. He attended Northville School and worked on his Uncle Peter’s farm, where he developed a love for driving tractors, plowing, and planting. He graduated from Riverhead High School in 1969 and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard for four years. His family said he was always guided by the motto “Semper Paratus,” meaning “Always Ready.” After his military service, he made a living scalloping, a skill he learned from his Uncle Bill. During this time, he met his wife, Maria (née Berdinka), whom he married in 1976. They had two children, Emily Maria Fossum , and Simon Peter Raffel of Ferndale, Michigan. He later worked at the Plum Island Ferry, Port Jefferson Ferry, and on tugboats along the Eastern Seaboard. His family said he enjoyed hiking, fixing things, nature, and anchoring up in the bay, and he was remembered for his deep, quiet faith and commitment to attending Mass.
He was predeceased by his brother William “Sammy” Raffel. He is survived by his wife, Maria; his daughter, Emily Maria Fossum of Santa Fe, New Mexico; his son, Simon Peter of Ferndale, Michigan; his sister, Irene McCarthy of Ridge; and his brother, Eddie (Joanne) of Riverhead.
The family will receive visitors on Tuesday, Dec. 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. A liturgy of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church, officiated by Father Michael Bartholomew. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery in Cutchogue, with military honors by the U.S. Coast Guard. Memorial donations may be made to the North Fork Parish Outreach, P.O. Box 584, Greenport, NY 11944.
