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Arthur J. Rafter

January 20, 1925 November 10, 2016
Arthur J. Rafter
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Obituary for Arthur J. Rafter
Arthur J. Rafter, 91, of Mason, NH, died peacefully at the Hackett Hill Healthcare Center in Manchester, NH, surrounded by his loving family on November 10, 2016.



He was born in Milford, NH, on January 20, 1925, and was the son of Thomas Francis Rafter and Olive Ela Rafter (Blood). Arthur was a lifelong member of the Mason Congregational Church and served as a Deacon for many years. During WWII, he was in the US Navy for four years as a third-class soundman in Harbor Defenses. As a third-class soundman, his tour of duty took him to New York Harbor, Guam, and Los Angeles, CA. After the war, he graduated from Wentworth Institute of technology and worked for the Clayton W. Chase construction company designing bridges throughout the state of NH. Later, he managed operations for Ryder Concrete and then Granite State Concrete. After marrying Virginia Miller in 1951, they lived briefly in Amherst before moving to Mason where they settled for the rest of their lives.





He enjoyed gardening, canoeing and traveling with Ginie, and was also a carpenter who built his own home in 1956. He believed in community service and was one of the original founding members of the Mason Volunteer Fire Department. He and Ginie enjoyed square dancing with the Wolf Rockers of Mason, NH and ball room dancing. He was a very loving and caring father and grandfather. He will be remembered as a man who worked hard until the very end and was always willing help the community and his friends.




Arthur is survived by two sons and one daughter. Harold W. Rafter and his wife Susan Jackson-Rafter of Nottingham, NH. Kenneth M. Rafter and his wife Adrienne Rafter of Long Island. Jane R. Goodhart and her husband Gary Goodhart of Pleasant Valley, NY. He has five grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was pre-deceased by his wife Virginia, his three brothers, Robert and Bruce Rafter and Charles Emory, and two sisters Shirley Smith and Janice Adams.
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Previous Events

Visitation

Friday

18

Nov

4:00 PM 11/18/2016 4:00:00 PM - 8:00 PM 11/18/2016 8:00:00 PM
Michaud Funeral Home & Crematory

32 Maple Street
Wilton, NH 03086

Michaud Funeral Home & Crematory
32 Maple Street Wilton 03086 NH
United States

Service

Saturday

19

Nov

11:00 AM 11/19/2016 11:00:00 AM
Mason Congregational Church

33 Valley rd
Mason, NH 03048

After service, we will go to the prospect hill cemetery, followed by a luncheon at the mason congregational church.

Mason Congregational Church
33 Valley rd Mason 03048 NH
United States

Graveside

Saturday

19

Nov

12:00 PM 11/19/2016 12:00:00 PM
Prospect Hill Cemetery

Old Ashby Road
Mason, NH 03048

Prospect Hill Cemetery
Old Ashby Road Mason 03048 NH
United States

Cemetery Details

Location

Prospect Hill Cemetery Final Resting Place

Old Ashby Road
Mason, NH 03048

Old Ashby Road Mason 03048 NH
United States

Memorial Contribution

Mason Congregational Church

33 Valley rd
Mason, NH 03048
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