Rafael F. Porras

Rafael Frederick Porras-89-Beloved and devoted husband to Ann his wife of what would have been sixty years on July 29th; Adored by his children, Loretta Williams and Randolph Porras; by his grandsons Jason Wilson and Scott Porras, and by his only great granddaughter Dominique Wilson; and his wonderful extended family by marriage whom he loved so much, Tamar Porras, Cynthia Wilson and Ian Williams.

Our Papa was born on May 17th 1921 on the North Side of Boston to honorable Spanish-Italian Immigrants; Perfecto Porras and Margaret Rizzuto, who decided to gift their only son the world of music. Times were tough, the streets were rough; but Rafael was an ardent student so prolific on the keyboards, piano and his signature accordion. He graduated from English High School and The New England Conservatory of Music. He also taught there later.

He later played in the Latin Quarter; serenaded with Hildegarde in Saratoga; working at

Lou Walters Clubs playing for Kings and Kingpens alike.

He served in World War 11 and was assigned a spot in the Armys Presidential Band where he couldnt very well carry a keyboard, but relished that he proudly paraded with his glockenspiel.

He was a lifelong member of the Boston Musicians Union as well as the South Florida Musicians Union.

He was pre-deceased by his only sister Margaret Farranti whom he loved and mourned her untimely, much too soon passing.

Rafael moved to Miami, Florida with his family in the early 1960s, playing all the fabulous hotels on the beach, memorably the Carillon with its garish French Revue. He was in the league of the greats of the time including Sinatra, Bennett and Sammy Davis, Jr. He opened the Starlight Roof at the Doral Beach and then went on to open and perform almost a decade of entertaining with his fabulous trio at the Doral Country Club.

His movie star good looks, overwhelming charm and unprecedented musical ability and mental library of international music astounded his contemporaries and audiences from around the world; rocketing him into a revered plateau of entertainment excellence.

When Luciano Pavarotti played South Florida, he always hired Rafael as accompaniment.

His music and his family were his life, his beautiful wife Ann, his muse. He wrote music daily and actively-his wondrous fingers always beating to the melodies of his extensive repertoire. It was age-defying and he took with him to death his incredible talent and spot-on mental capacity never allowing advanced years to diminish his voracious appetite for the classical arts.

He provided full time care giving to his precious wife and died in the kitchen preparing their morning meal. He was undaunted by the overwhelming responsibilities associated with this position and relished every moment of doing everything he could for her. Their love affair was as brilliant as his career, his devotion unparalleled.

We salute you Rafael. It was an honor and a privilege to call you Papa.

May you now and for all eternity be playing for the King of Kings.

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