In Loving Memory of
Raphael Rosa
October 07, 1972 – October 08, 2020
Live Streaming of Visitation and Funeral Service was held on October 12, 2020 at 12:00 PM EDT
Raphael Rosa, 48 of Perth Amboy, passed peacefully on October 8, 2020, at the JFK Medical Center in Edison after a long and courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis.
After having been diagnosed with MS in 1997, he started a non profit to raise funds for MS Research thru annual comedy shows where A-List comedians gravitated towards his infectious smile to help the cause such as Dave Chappelle and America’s Got Talent comedian Greg Morton. Ralphy, as he was known to most, battled for 23 long years and not once did he ever let up his spirit and smile.
He was born in Perth Amboy, where he had lived for most of his life.
He was a graduate of Rutgers University in New Brunswick and was an accomplished guitar player having attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. Where soon after he met his good friend and mentor Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal who then went on to become the lead guitarist for the rock group Guns N’ Roses.
He was predeceased by his beloved father, Rafael Rosa.
He leaves behind, his beloved mother Elizabeth Rosa and his beloved brother Anthony Rosa, both of Perth Amboy.
Visitation will be on Monday, October 12, 2020, from 12 noon to 1 pm, at the Flynn and Son Funeral Home, 23 Ford Ave. Fords, NJ 08863. A funeral service will follow at 1 pm at the Funeral Home, followed with an entombment at Alpine Cemetery Mausoleum, in Perth Amboy at 2:30pm.
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I am crushed to hear of Ralphy’s passing. I will never forget his infectious smile and laugh. He lit up the room. My condolences to the family. I pray God gives you strength to get thru these times. He will always be one of the beautiful souls.
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I am saddened to hear of Ralph’s passing. Ralph and I entered La Piedad High School in 8th grade. He was from Jersey and I was from NY, and Spanish was not our forte. I have very fond memories of Ralph. He was kindhearted and gentle, which made it easy to befriend him. May you Rest In Peace. My deepest condolences to his mother, brother and family.
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Primo, it saddened me to hear the loss of Rafaelito. Both of you were such a big part of my childhood, from hanging out in the pool, to playing pool and hoops anytime you were able to make it down to PR. I can’t express how sad I am for you and Titi, but I know Rafaelito has been preparing for this moment for so long, and he’s the definition of a true warrior of God, we should all feel blessed and honored ti have met him, and have him impacted our lives. I can tell you first hand, he made such a impact in mine, by finding my muse in music. I remember him playing guitar for me, teaching me about rock, and jamming out with me to the band “Collective Soul”. So is the irony, that he would change my life with that band. God has collected another great soul from us, but the legacy he left will never die. I love you guys, only wish we had more time together. Life is so short, but he made the most of it, and we should all learn. Que Dios los bendiga.
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Rest In Peace Ralphy you’ll be forever in my heart ❤️ My deepest condolences to you and your mom. ?
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Thank you Anthony for allowing me to share in this special tribute to your brother. God Bless you and your Mom. Barbara
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Our deepest condolences for you and the family. May Ralph rest in peace. Blessings!!
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Our condolences to his mom, Elizabeth and Anthony. All the members of his
high school class, La Piedad 1990, are very sorry for his loss! We remember his kindness and happy smile as well as his musical talent! We send the family a big hug From Puerto Rico!
Rest in peace!
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Our condolences to the family particularly mom and brother. We will keep you in our prayers! May God’s grace provide you with the strength to manage this physical transition knowing your spirits will always be connected. Celebrating his life today as he’s now joyous in eternal Glory! Nilka and Gladeline
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I’m so very sad to hear of dear Ralph’s passing. My condolences to his family. Ralph and I were high school friends and had some contact after. He was always such a sweet, genuine person. Always, with an easy smile. He fought so bravely, he was an inspiration. May he rest in eternal peace. He will always be remembered with the greatest of affection.
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Ralphy, I have been thinking about what to say because it is still surreal. You were such a happy person all of the time no matter what you were going thru. I am so lucky to have known you for as long as I did. I will always treasure the memories of us in Puerto Rico and in NJ, all of the pictures we have and the times you used to play your guitar for me. I can still hear you play "When the Children Cry" by White Lion. I absolutely have no doubt that you are playing in heaven with EVH and that makes me so happy. But the one song that always and forever reminds me of you is " When I see you Smile" by Bad English. Your smile was so infectious. You were an angel on earth and are a true hero for the many lives you saved. I will forever miss you.
Anthony and Liz , I love you both so much!
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wao. no tengo palabras solo sentimiento. fuiste y sera algo muy importante para mi, tendra un lugar muy especial en mi.❤ aprendi mucho de ti. Descansa en la presencia de Dios mi bello Angel ily too much -Titi Mariyta
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Los acompañamos en está gran pérdida amigos, porque Ralphy para nosotros fue un ser humano muy especial lleno de amor, paz y alegría. Todos los que tuvimos el placer de conocerlo pudimos disfrutar de su compañía y de contagiados de sus deseos inmensos de vivir la vida a plenitud..Les deseo que Dios les dé mucha fortaleza para que puedan superar este vacío poco a poco y puedan tener la esperanza de que volverán a encontrarse con Ralphy. Que en Paz descanse nuestro querido Ralphy Rosa.
Los queremos mucho,
Melissa, Enya, Lolo y Carlos Pla
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Sheraze and I want to express our heartfelt condolences to your mom and you for your brother’s passing. He was so courageous and tough.to have endured as long as he did. I know he will be missed.
I haven’t seen you for so long and i’d like to catch up if you have some time. I have a lot to bring you up to date on so please reach out to me.
Burke & Sheraze Spencer
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Ralphy, so sad to hear of your passing. Your smile was always infectious. Hope your up in heaven rockin it out!!!sincere condolences to the family. Rest In Peace!!❤️??
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Siempre en mi corazón mi amado amigo y hermano Ralph. Vuela alto, ya nos volveremos a ver y nos confundiremos en un gran abrazo.
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We all know that Ralphy is jamming with Eddie Van Halen right about now 🙂 and Heaven just got louder!
Tell uncle Mike that the Mets are still trying to find their way. Wait till next year! Heaven just gained one more die hard Met fan 🙂 Hold the fort down brother.
The little time we had spent was always fun and you never let us down with your million dollar smile.
Heaven is lucky to have you and do keep an eye over us cuz. You were an angel on earth and even more so in Heaven.
Love you cuz ❤
Steve
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Raphy, you will be missed and I know you are in a better place. We will see each other again. Fly high cousin, Love you.
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Always Missed, Never Forgotten. Rock that Guitar in Heaven Cuzzo. Til we meet again. Love you. XoXoxxOo #CausaComun #Vilma -Mariela
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My dearest… I hate myself for not visiting you more. I now find myself so sad and so guilty. Despite being so far from you, I thought of you often. Every marathon I ran, every triathlon I raced, you were always with me. And you still will be, even more now. I will miss you. I will always love you.
Always in my heart. Life is so unfair sometimes.
Until we meet again…
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My dear cousin! I will always remember you, the love you had for music, your beautiful smile and eyes! You had such an awesome sense of humor, you always made me laugh. For such a long time it was so hard for me to understand why you? But I know God used you to inspire others. Your joyful spirit has been a blessing to me and everyone who has met you. I am thankful and grateful for the time and memories we shared. You will Forever be in my heart.
I may not understand why he was not healed here on earth, but I still trust God and know he is whole now! He is Home ❤️
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My sweet cousin Ralphy, with gorgeous blue eyes, a beautiful smile and great spirit, R.I.P. ?❤️?
Bendicion Ralphy!