Howard A. Raphaelson

WESTWOOD - After 94 years, on October 21, 2025, Howard finished his last to-do list. He spent his life being goal-driven. He approached all projects with the same zeal, whether it was graduating from Harvard Business School or spreading fertilizer on the freshly mowed grass at his home of 58 years on Timber Drive in Storrs, Connecticut. And for most of those years the he mowed that lawn with a reel mower, because why use a power mower when you can be a stubborn New Englander. And, the driveway? Shoveled by hand into his 70’s.

For 38 years he put on a suit during the week and headed to work at Rogers Corporation where he was a financial executive. He was often at odds with expectations because he wanted to use the data that the financial department accumulated as a way to improve manufacturing operations, which was not customary. His suit would get dirty though when he would catch and release the odd bird stuck in the building, get cases of paper from the supply room when the copy machine ran low, or observe the manufacturing operators. Howard grew up modestly in Worcester, the youngest of five children born to Russian immigrants. He was too smart for public school and often got in trouble for acting out due to boredom. Once, while sitting alone in the hall after being kicked out of the class, he taught himself how to use a slide rule. His parents were concerned that he wouldn’t graduate high school. They knew he was smart, but the boredom kept him in trouble. They wanted to enroll him at Worcester Academy but he wasn’t accepted. The rejection letter said they already had their twelve Jewish students for the coming year.

He ultimately went to Tilton School in New Hampshire where they encouraged learning and he excelled. He earned an Associates Degree from Nichol’s Junior College in Dudley, Massachusetts and decided that was enough formal education. He was drafted into the Army as a Private. When they realized he could read, do math, and solve problems he was promoted to a Corporal and was running the battalion ammunition squad. As enjoyable as it was the be in the swamp in Georgia in the summer, the opportunity to leave early if he went to college seemed even better.

He continued with college at University of Massachusetts in Amherst. He met his future wife, Alice Koval, who was attending nearby Smith College. Having completed his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, he applied to schools for Master’s programs. Surprising only himself, he was accepted to Harvard Business School and earned his Masters of Business Administration.

Howard was active in local politics, serving multiple terms on the Mansfield Board of Education and Town Council, and working on several Democratic campaigns. He volunteered with many organizations including the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum, Mansfield Historical Society, Center for Learning in Retirement, Mansfield Library Book Sale, Jewish War Veterans, Central Massachusetts Midstate Trail organization, was Sexton of the Hillel Cemetery in Mansfield, Connecticut, and many more. He was a dedicated blood donor donating more than 25 gallons over his lifetime, and he was one of the early participants in the American Red Cross Apheresis donation program. He was recognized by the American Red Cross as one of the top blood donors in the Connecticut Blood Services Region. Even though he could fix anything that was wrong around the house or with the car, he was never able to fix the world and that always bothered him.

A few years ago, Howard and Alice moved to an Independent Living community at Fox Hill Village in Westwood, Massachusetts. His encyclopedic knowledge and willingness to help solve any problem will be missed. He leaves behind his wife Alice Raphaelson of Westwood, MA; his daughter Janet Raphaelson of Northampton, MA; his daughter Karen Korn (William) of Waban, MA and their sons Simon and David; and daughter Sheri Raphaelson (William O’Connell) of Espanola, NM and their son Leo. He will be buried in a family plot at B’nai B’rith cemetery in Worcester, MA. The services will be private. Arrangements are in the care of Miles Funeral Home of Holden.