Obituary of Herman H. Rafuse

RAFUSE, Herman Harold - 87, of Vaughan, Hants Co., passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 19, 2013 in Hants Community Hospital, Windsor, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Upper Vaughan, on January 24, 1926 he was a son of the late Charles and Ethel (Reece) Rafuse.In 1943, he met the love of his life, Doris, and they have been together for the last 70 years. Herman was a mechanic by trade and spent many hours in his earlier years listening to reels of technician tapes with Doris, upgrading his mechanical knowledge. He loved to tinker with vehicles and as a young boy created his first "jitney" that provided many hours of entertainment for the younger generations and actually crossed Zwicker Lake. He worked for 33 years for J. Reg Smith Ltd., as a mechanic working on his beloved Ford vehicles. After he left there he went to work for the Department of Highways, from which he retired in 1987. He enjoyed working on friend’s cars up until the past few years when ill health forced him to give up the hands on work, but he was still able to offer advice up until the end. Herman was a hard working man who was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. He was an active member of Vaughan United Church, serving in many positions over the years. Herman was also known for the hundreds of lawn ornaments that he made out of wood. He would cut them out and Doris would paint them.He is survived by his wife the former Doris Lake, Dykeland Lodge, Windsor; sisters, Jennie Rafuse, Upper Vaughan; Frances (Armstrong) Manzer, Windsor; brother, James "Jim", Chester Basin; sister-in-law, Helen Rafuse, Falmouth; brother-in-law, Gordon Lake, Windsor; several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was predeceased by sisters, Myrna Ellen Mary, in infancy (1945) and Marguerite "Marg" Church (1994); brothers, Elmer "Bud" (1987) and Graham (2007); sisters-in-law, Lillian Rafuse (1993) and Marion Rafuse (2010); brothers-in-law, Samuel Rafuse (1993), Donald Armstrong (1966), Lawson Church (2004) and Bernard Manzer (2004).The family would like to say a special thank you to his many homecare workers whom he considered as part of his family and were there until the end. Also, a very special thank you to his niece, Terry for her dedicated years of looking after Uncle Herman to allow him and Aunt Doris to stay at home where he received excellent care. In January he became a resident of Dykeland Lodge, with his wife Doris. A special thank you to Dykeland for their care and support, as well.Arrangements have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., PO Box 981, Windsor, B0N 2T0 (902-798-8317), where the family will receive visitors from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, March 23. Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 24, in Vaughan United Church, Rev. Ivan Norton officiating. Private family burial will take place in Maplewood Cemetery, Windsor. Donations in memory of Herman may be made to the Vaughan United Church or a charity of one’s choice. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at the funeral home address or by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca