Thomas George Raffo

Commander Thomas George Raffo, 83, USNR retired, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on February 24, 2026. He was born on November 7, 1942, in Passaic, NJ to Edward Francis Raffo & Madeline Winifred Sullivan.

Tom graduated from Glen Rock High School, NJ in 1960. He was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and was a proud member of the 12th Company USNA Class of 1964. Tom served his country for 20 years with honor in the United States Navy. During his active-duty, he was a Tactical Coordinator in the Lockheed SP-2H aircraft, operated by the Patrol Squadron 7 (VP-7), “The Black Falcons.” While later serving in the naval reserves, he transitioned to the Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft and served as the Commander of the Naval Reserve Squadron 62 (VP-62), “The Broad Arrows.” His devotion to the United States and to the Naval Academy remained a defining source of pride.

Tom finished his civilian life as a Vice President at Merrill Lynch as an Estate Planning Specialist. He loved helping people with their financial planning. He approached his life’s work with deep compassion and a genuine concern for others. He believed that behind every plan was a family, and behind every decision were people who deserved care, respect, and peace of mind. These values were not only reflected in his work, but also in how he lived his life, and he instilled the same principles of compassion, integrity, and service in his children.

In 1967, he married Harriet Elizabeth Holmes (deceased), daughter of Captain John London Holmes Jr. and Harriet Elizabeth Clarkson, and they were married for 40 years until her passing. Together they raised four children.

He later found love again in 2008 and was happily married to Jackie Ehle Raffo for 17 years. Together they spent summers in Maggie Valley, loved to travel with dear friends Connie & Woodie Vaughan, and visit with their children and grandchildren who reside all over the country.

Tom had a deep love for baseball, and he played a young age. There he continued to play baseball at Navy after excelling as a star high school pitcher. It was a passion he proudly passed on to his children and grandchildren. His love for the game lives on through them.

Tom was an avid golfer who loved to spend his summers golfing with his friends at his vacation home in Maggie Valley, and his winters at Orange Park Country Club. Golf was more than a pastime for him with the remarkable achievement of three holes-in-one.

He cherished time spent with family, especially around the table sharing meals, laughter, and stories. He was known for his quick wit, competitive spirit, and steady leadership. A devout Catholic, Tom lived his faith daily and was an active leader in his church community at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Orange Park, Florida. He was an avid Yankees, Cowboys, Notre Dame and Naval Academy Football fan. “Go Navy, Beat Army.”

Above all, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and provider who gave generously and lived with compassion. He will be remembered as a man of honor. Tom’s life was defined by faith, family, 20 years of service, and love of country. His legacy of strength, humor, and a man of integrity will live on in all who knew him.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Jackie Ehle Raffo; his children: Thomas George Raffo Jr. (Paula), Madelaine Elizabeth Raffo, Darrell Francis Raffo (Gabriella), and John-Edward Raffo (Stephanie); his grandchildren: Claudia Elizabeth Patterson (Zachary), Anna Winifred Brown (Noah), Thomas Hanniford Raffo, Hayden Thomas Raffo, Ella Blair Raffo, Luciano Deaglan Raffo, Giuliana Elizabeth Raffo; Stepdaughter Jennifer Jacqueline Smith (Nathan); step grandchildren Jacqueline Kate Smith, Penelope Mai Smith, and Thaddeus Grant Smith. He is survived by his brother Edward Francis Raffo Jr., and Marilyn “Lynn” Raffo.

The family would like to thank his incredible caregivers who loved on and cared for Tom like family; Marsha Azuka, Samuel Azuka, Owen McLeod and Gerri Alexander. We would like thank Community Hospice of Jacksonville for all the care and support to keep Tom comfortable.

The viewing will be held at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home Tuesday March 3rd, 2026, 11801 San Jose Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32223. There will be a Vigil Service at 6PM with the viewing to follow 6:30-8pm.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday March 4th, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Historic Catholic Church 4214 Loretto Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32223. Prayer visitation begins at 9:30 AM in the Historic Church with a full mass to follow at 10:00 AM. After the mass, please join us for a reception next door at the Cody Enrichment Center. The burial will be at the Jacksonville National Cemetery promptly at 2 PM, 4083 Lannie Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218.

Tom was very passionate about the endowment he started for his first wife Harriet Holmes Raffo. The Harriet Holmes Raffo Memorial Endowment is a charitable fund at UF Health / University of Florida created in 2007 by Thomas G. Raffo in memory of his wife, Harriet Holmes Raffo. Its purpose is to support housing programs for bone-marrow transplant patients and their families at Shands.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to:

Harriet Holmes Raffo Memorial Endowment - University of Florida Advancement

https://www.uff.ufl.edu/giving-opportunities/013793-harriet-holmes-raffo-memorial-endowment/