Resident of Soquel

Angelo Raffaelli was born on January 8th, 1930 in Viareggio, Italy. After growing up through the hardships of World War II, he took the opportunity to start a new life in the United States in 1957. After two years of living in New York City, he visited family in California and fell in love with Santa Cruz. The mountains and sea reminded him of home, and there he stayed.

He met Pauline Haskett in 1959, and together they created a driven and beautiful life. While growing a family of three children, Angelo never forgot his Italian roots or his desire to nurture gardens of fruits and vegetables. He designed a vineyard and made a home out of a 5½acre plot in the Soquel hills. This slice of Tuscany is where many friends and family enjoyed Angelo’s generous cooking, and where he lived the last 45 years of his life.

Angelo had a brilliant mind for mechanics and creation. He opened and operated several successful automotive businesses in Santa Cruz, including the Gulf Service Station and Mobil Station on Mission Street. He designed and built a number of residential properties around town.

Pauline and Angelo were active members of the Italian Catholic Federation (ICF) Branch #21, Sons of Italy, and the Marconi Club. Among these communities and to all who knew him, Angelo was well known for his legendary cooking and warm spirit. Together with longtime friend Luigi Dellacqua, Angelo prepared countless meals for ICF and Sons of Italy gatherings, providing hundreds with memorable pasta feeds, crab cooks, fundraisers, and celebrations.

Angelo was a loyal and caring friend with many long-standing friendships of over 50 years, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and adored by all who sat at his table. He enjoyed sharing the fruits of his labor and sparking laughter in every room. He was known and beloved for his humor, cooking, wine making, determination, dedicated work ethic, and gracious hospitality.

Angelo is survived by his three children Thomas, Roberto, and Cristina Raffaelli, and his eight grandchildren: Lina Raffaelli, Chiara Neilson, Angelo Raffaelli, Alyssa Raffaelli, Sofia Raffaelli, Elena Neilson, Elio Raffaelli, and Carina Raffaelli.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, sister Emilia (Mila) Raffaelli, and wife of 61 years Pauline Raffaelli.

A memorial service will take place this Saturday, November 16 at 3 PM at Pacific Gardens Chapel in Santa Cruz. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Dominican Hospital Foundation. www.supportdominican.org/donate