Raphael Alfonso Maharaj

Raphael attended Osmond High School in Trinidad, then went on to graduate from St. George’s College in Maritime Engineering before he attended the U.S.A.-E.E.O.C. Training Institute. He arrived in the United States of America on February 18, 1962, from Trinidad, and made Mobile, Alabama his home.

Raphael then registered for the draft. As a Merchant Seaman, with the endorsement “Valid for Emergency Services”, he continued serving being assigned as a crew member serving with the Military Sealift Command, transporting military supplies to our Armed Forces in South Vietnam. Alabama Dry Docks & Shipbuilding Company had a huge backlog of naval vessels awaiting repairs, including the aircraft carrier “USS LEXINGTON”, a nuclear submarine, and several destroyers.

ADDSCO put out a call for experienced maritime workers to have these ships put back in service, which Raphael answered. He signed off from the Sealift Command and was employed by ADDSCO as a machinist, continuing his services repairing those naval vessels. Raphael remained at ADDSCO until the yard closed in 1989.

He still wanted to serve his country, so Raphael volunteered with Alabama State Defense Force in 1996 with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He retired on March 14, 2014, at the rank of Colonel and Commander 3rd Brigade ALSDF. Raphael served as Alabama State Commander with the rank of Brigadier General in the United States National Reserve Corps, an all-volunteer based mission prior to veterans and civilians organization, responding to natural and manmade disasters.

Raphael received certification from FBI Citizens Academy, where he was one of four individuals to incorporate the Academy. He was a graduate of Mobile Police Academy, first-class, held an American Red Cross Certificate of Merit and was a training instructor, and was certified with the Civic Endeavors and Boards.

He was on the State Advisory Committee, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights; retired 2nd Vice President-International Association of Official Human Rights; retired Chairman with Mobile Human Relations Commission; was a member of the South Alabama Veterans Council; Commission Member and Parade Chairman of the Mobile Area Bay Veterans Day Parade; past President and Current Board Member of Keep Mobile Beautiful; past President of Crime Stoppers of Southwest Alabama; Board Member of Mobile Historical Commission; Founding Member of Mobile International Festival; past Board Member of Habitat for Humanity; past President of Volunteer Mobile; past Board Member of the American Red Cross-Mobile Chapter; retired Executive Secretary with Local 18 I.A.M. AFL/CIO; past President of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Race Relations; past Chairman of Mobile County Public Employers Training Council; and a Founding Member and current Board Member of Mobile Medical Reserve Corps.

Raphael spent his life serving God, his country, and humanity. He was a wonderful husband and father and will be greatly missed.

Raphael was preceded in death by his brothers, Sonny Maharaj, Emmanuel Maharaj, and Daniel Maharaj; and sisters, Theresa, Elsie, and Marie.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Betty L. Maharaj; four children, Cheryl (James) Smith, Sheila O’Brien, Dennis (Sylvia) Davis, and Susie (James) Bolen; ten grandchildren, Janelle Smith (John R.) Will, Jennifer (Josh) Pierce-Hamilton, Caitlin S. O’Brien, Candace O’Brien, Darryl Davis, Evan Davis, Sophie and Nicolas, Tyler Bolen, and Carley Bolen; seven great-grandchildren: Ella, Heidi, Jayden, Jenna, Avery, Michael, and Lainey; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and other cherished family and friends.

Visitation for Raphael will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Pine Crest Funeral Home, with a graveside service in Pine Crest Cemetery, immediately following.

The family has requested that due to Covid-19, this remains a family occasion, and hopes to invite everyone to a Memorial Service and Celebration of Life at a later date.