Raphael F. Longobardi

It is with great sadness that the family of Raphael Francis Longobardi, known to all as “Ray”, announces his passing on Thursday, February 27, 2020, at the age of 91 years. Ray, a lifelong New Yorker and resident of Douglaston, NY for the past 41 years, passed away at Villa Marie Claire Hospice in Saddle River, New Jersey, after a brief illness.

Raphael was born on August 23, 1928 to Francesco and Anna (Gengo) Longobardi in Brooklyn, New York; he was the youngest, and last surviving of 9 siblings. He was a member of St. Teresa of Avila parish and attended the parish Boys’ Elementary School. He attended St. Francis Preparatory High School in Brooklyn, NY. He received his B.S. in Chemistry from Fordham University in the Bronx, NY in 1954. He subsequently received a master’s degree in Education from Hofstra University in 1970. He served his Country as an Intelligence operative in Eastern Europe. He then became an educator first at St. Augustine’s High School, Brooklyn, NY, which closed in 1968, then Bishop Loughlin High School, (Brooklyn, NY) until retirement in 1995. In his 35 years as a teacher/educator and Chairman of the Social Studies department at those Christian Brothers schools, he formulated new curriculums which encompassed International Relations and extensive Black History project. The former included United Nations visits to meet the diplomats from the USSR and China. The latter project, “From Africa to Harlem” included guest lectures by prominent black historians, educators, and political leaders, including Roy Wilkens (Head of NAACP) and John Hope Franklin, and Dr. Calvin O. Butts. His devotion to his Alma Mater Fordham resulted in his position as sports booster Ram Club President for the decade of the 1980’s. He always remained a grateful and avid supporter of the University.

Ray will be lovingly remembered by his family: devoted wife, Ann, with whom they would have celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary on June 25, 2020; daughter, AnitaRose with her husband, Joseph Dziwura, and their sons, Joseph, James and John; daughter, Laura; son, Raphael S.F., and his wife Laura, and their son Raphael F. and daughter Gabrielle; daughter JoAnn and her husband, Pedro Morales, and their son Pedro, and daughter, Angela.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 1, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.; Monday, March 2, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., at R. Stutzmann & Son, 224-39 Jamaica Avenue, Queens Village, NY 11428.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Ray on Tuesday, March 3, at 9:45 a.m., at St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church, 45-14 245th Street, Douglaston, NY 11362.

Any donations in memory of Raphael F. Longobardi may be made to Villa Marie Claire Hospice, 12 West Saddle River Road, Saddle River, NJ 07458.

“For God, Country and Family”