Rafael Roman, Sr.

Rafael Roman, Sr., 87, of New Haven, CT died peacefully at home with his loving family by his side. He was the beloved husband of Manuela Vélez Roman. Rafael was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico on June 15, 1936, a son of the late Pablo Roman and the late Maria Torres, and had resided in New Haven since 1962. He worked in the maintenance department at Yale University for thirty three years, retiring in 2001. Rafael is survived by two daughters, Sonia Roman and Damaris Martínez of New Haven, three sons, Rafael Roman, Jr. and Samuel (Sharon) Roman of Hamden and Alberto Roman of New Haven, eight sisters, Irene Martínez of West Haven, Milagros (Victor) Delgado of Ansonia, Canda, Elvira, Marina, Rosa Enid, Rosa Delia and Myrta Enid Roman, ten brothers, Carmelo DeLeon of Tampa, FL, Luís DeLeon and Ramon (Victoria) DeLeon of New Haven, Angel (Tammy) Roman of Meriden,  Pablo, Roberto, Heriberto, Juan Alberto, Israel and Luís Enrique Roman, fifteen grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and many loving nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by four sisters, Carmen Irizarry DeLeon, Rosita Roman DeLeon, and Awilda and Antonia Roman, five brothers, Alejandro Torres, Francisco and William Roman and Anibal and Jobino DeLeon, and one grandson, Donald Manuel Morriar, III.

Rafael’s family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, June 6th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Door of Salvation Christian Church (Iglesia Cristiana Puerta de Salvacion), 3 Arch St., New Haven. A funeral service will take place at the church on Friday, June 7th at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, New Haven. The Washington Memorial Funeral Home, 4 Washington Ave., North Haven has been entrusted with arrangements. washingtonmemorialfh.com

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