Frank Joseph Rafalko
Obituary
Frank (Francis) Joseph Rafalko, Jr., 79, Southport, NC died on July 13, 2022.
Born in Newark, NJ on January 31, 1943, he was a son of the late Frank J. Rafalko and Anne Hulay Rafalko.
Frank was a retired Intelligence Officer with the United States Government, where he faithfully served his country for 32 years. After retirement, Frank became a Published Author. Frank was a devout and active member of his church his entire life, serving in many roles such as alter server as both a young man and adult as well as being active in the Knight of Columbus reaching the 4th Degree. Frank passionately worked to raise awareness and resources for various charities that helped children in need as he felt no child should go hungry.
Surviving are his wife, Karen Pingicer Rafalko; son, Eric Rafalko (Heather Burpee Rafalko), Eagle River, Alaska; daughters, Jenifer O’Neill PhD, Dublin, OH and Heather Phelps Ayres (Rob Ayres), Charlottesville, VA; brother, Michael Rafalko (Lois), Herndon, VA; and seven grandchildren.
Frank and Karen met 63 years ago at a high school dance, and she was his whole world ever since. His love for Karen and their family is apparent in every square inch of their home and throughout all of their live adventures, activities, and family trips. His love for travel was shared and enjoyed by his wife, kids, and grandkids. Each trip gave Frank the ability to intertwine his love for history, travel and family by creating unique adventures with those he loved.
A Mass will be celebrated on July 26, 2022, at 10:00 AM in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Southport, NC.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested any donations be made to:
Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, 1140 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607 https://www.mercyhome.org
Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey, 5804 W. Monastery Road, Hulbert, OK 74441-5698
Edmundite Missions, PO Box 2114, Selma, AL 36702-2114
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.brunswickfuneralservice.com
Brunswick Funeral Service, Southport/Oak Island Chapel
Information
Send Condolences
Please use the form below to express your condolences, share your memories, or to pass along a personal message to the family. After it is reviewed by our staff for appropriateness, your message will be delivered to the family.
A Note About Privacy If you choose to enter the optional phone, mailing address, or email information, it will be passed along to the family along with your comments. We respect your privacy: this information will not be published, shared, sold or used for any other purpose.