Paul Francis Raftery

 
Age 78, Paul Francis Raftery, a successful entrepreneur & self-made man passed peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, August 15, 2023.  Throughout his life he was a devoted husband, beloved father & grandfather, and loyal friend & brother.  Born Paul Francis Clattenburg, he was raised in South Boston on South Main Street (Southie). Abandoned at birth, Paul was raised by Alice Clattenburg.  After graduating from Medford High School in 1964, he took his first job as a draftsman with PSI Industrial.

Soon thereafter, he married his high school sweetheart, Janice Marie Giuggio and had three children:  Brian, Jared and Karlene.  Paul’s drive for success, coupled with his natural intelligence, wit, charisma and commitment to provide a better life for his family fueled his prosperous life decisions & career paths.  Paul truly paved his own way against all odds.  

After collecting used oil and building a vast clientele over numerous years, Paul launched into a business venture & partnership when he purchased an environmental firm called Western Oil, Inc.   He relocated his young family to Barrington, Rhode Island in 1981 and began to build his family empire alongside his wife, Janice, and three children, Brian, Jared and Karlene Raftery. From a home office and only one truck to a fleet of trucks and a full recycling facility present day, is quite the feat.

Among many of Paul’s personal & professional triumphs, he was an avid adventurer--from snowmobiling along the White Mountains into Canada to becoming a captain sailing the Caribbean many years over.  It’s an understatement to say that Paul lived his life to the fullest.  He worked just as hard as he played and often friends flocked to his side for a slice of the fun.  Paul was known for his quick-witted sarcasm and humor, rounded out by charm and candor that found him endeared by all.  

In his later years as a snowbird, Paul enjoyed golfing and soaking up the tropical temperatures of Naples, Florida where he and his wife created a home-away-from-home, and cherished the frequent visits from his grandchildren. 

Paul’s love for music and movies kept him content for many years.  He enjoyed having his entire family around & made every effort to offer the very best for each of them.  Paul knew painfully well the worth of a dollar yet was not afraid to spend every penny on those he loved, often buying lunch or dinner for large groups at a time.  Sharing the things he loved with those around him gave Paul great satisfaction.

Beside the legacy of laughter and lineage, as the founder of Western Oil Environmental Services, Paul will eternally remain a forefather in the industry; a beacon of innovation and determination, leaving an indelible mark on the business landscape for generations to come.  His family could not be more proud of everything he stood for, and everything he accomplished. 

Paul leaves behind his wife, Janice Marie, brother Arthur (Janis) Mahoney of Tewksbury, MA; devoted caretaker & son Brian Raftery of Warren, RI; business partner & son Jared (Lisa) Raftery Lincoln, RI, and adored daughter Karlene (Nathan) Lichvarcik of Eugene, OR; along with seven cherished grandchildren Jordyn, Olivia, Brenden, and Matthew Raftery, along with Vera, Romin and Cormac Lichvarcik. Paul’s most loyal companion, his labradoodle, Beau (14 yo) bereaves his loss along with everyone else.

Friends and family are invited to attend a mass of Christian burial at 9:00 am on Saturday, August 19th, 2023, at Holy Angels Church ,341 Maple Avenue, Barrington ,RI Burial to follow 11:15am in St Michael’s Cemetery,500 Canterbury St., Boston. A celebratory gathering will be held at 2pm at Perella’s Ristorante, Warren RI.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the COPD Foundation in memory of Paul Raftery. https://www.copdfoundation.org/Ways-to-Give/Donate/Donate-Now.aspx

Though he may be gone from our sight, he will forever remain in our hearts, a beacon of inspiration.

www.rebellofuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Paul Francis Raftery, please visit our floral store.