Rafael E. Colon

Rafael was born on February 20, 1941 in Lares, Puerto Rico. He moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1959 and then relocated to California in 1988. Rafael is survived by his wife Nereida; daughter Maribel and husband Dionisio; daughter Nereida and husband Roberto; son Rafael and his wife Rikki. His granddaughters Jasmine and husband Frank, Amelia and husband Austin, Olivia, and grandson Julian. He is also survived by his sisters: Maria Luisa, Mona, Annie, and brother Pedro.

He married the love of his life, Nereida Rios. Together they shared many decades of life, love, happiness until his passing. In addition to being a loving husband, he was a wonderful father, father-in-law, and grandfather as well as a favorite uncle to many of his nieces and nephews.

Rafael made a 38 year career at Helen Curtis Industries Incorporated, where he enjoyed working with family members and friends. Following retirement, he was an active member of St. Francis Church in Oceanside as well as a member of the House of Puerto Rico in San Diego.

Rafael loved watching live or on television his 2005 World Series Champions Chicago White Sox and Stanley Cup Champions Chicago Blackhawks. One of his biggest thrills as a fan was walking the outfield and celebrating at the old Comiskey Park when the White Sox clinched a playoff berth in 1983. He would find himself back on the field at the new Comiskey Park in 2006 when he personally handed the game’s batting line up card of his beloved White Sox to the home plate umpire. Rafael was accompanied by Third Base Coach Tim Raines, who was inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Fanatic about his Chicago Blackhawk, he was overjoyed when the Blackhawks in won the Stanley Cup Championship in 1961, 2010, 2013 and 2015.

Rafael was a great gardener and his garden was filled with fruit trees, vegetables and flowers. He enjoyed animals - particularly birds and dogs, including Roger his favorite dog. An avid domino player, he eventually became a competitive domino tournament champion. He loved traveling to Chicago, Florida and Puerto Rico to visit family. When not traveling, he looked forward to taking walks, watching old western cowboy movies, dancing with his wife, and eating Burger King Whoppers (a Sunday tradition when he raised his children). Additionally, he had a passion for listening to Puerto Rican Jibaro music and strumming his Cuatro guitar to the music. As a fan, he personally met and hosted Jibaro and Puerto Rican music legends such as Jose Feliciano, Yomo Toro, Edwin Colon Zayas, Alvin Medina and others. He also performed on stage as a back-up singer with Alvin Medina and other musicians during the San Diego Cuatro Festival Concert.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to family members and friends who assisted Rafael and Nereida with prayers, words of encouragement, visits, and lending a hand when needed.