Richard A. "Richie" DiRaffaele died at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital on December 22, 2019 surrounded by his family. . He was 86 years of age. Richard was born in Somerville to the late Francesco & Anna (Carra) DiRaffaele, was raised in Melrose, graduated from Melrose High School and was a lifelong resident. Mr. DiRaffaele was a decorated war veteran and served his country with pride in the US Army during the Korean War. Richie was an operating engineer for the Local #4 Union for 33 years, retiring in 1988. He was a gifted mechanic who could fix anything from cars to vacuum cleaners. Richie used his talents to build a Roadster and hand made numerous quarter scale replica sailboats and power boats with working engines and remote controls, his wife Connie would also help making & stitching the sails for the boats. Mr. & Mrs. DiRaffaele were longtime members of the Quannapowitt Yacht Club in Wakefield, where they enjoyed sailing and racing in their O'Day sailboat and were very involved at the club over the years. Richard still enjoyed his "Captains Meeting", having lunch with his friends on Wednesdays at the club. Richie also had a love for hockey, coached Melrose Youth Hockey and played hockey for many years in the Melrose Elks Hockey League. He and his late wife Connie loved taking trips to Bermuda, traveling to Aruba and spending time on Lake Winnipesaukee and they were both longtime members of St. Mary's Church in Melrose. But above all else he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Richie was the beloved husband of the late Constance R. "Connie" (MacNevin) DiRaffaele. Loving father of Joy A. Bowie of North Reading, Deborah DiRaffaele of Wakefield, Peter DiRaffaele & his wife May of Melrose and Lynda O'Connell & her husband Tim of Melrose. Cherished grandfather of Andrew Hamilton & Sigourney, Scott Bowie & Megan, Keri O'Connell, Kristen Watson & Shawn, Alyssa Walsh & Spencer, Michael DiRaffaele & Derek DiRaffaele. Proud great grandfather of Chase & Declan. Caring brother of Robert DiRaffaele and the late Bartholomew, John, Angelina & Edith. Also survived by several nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose on Friday, December 27, 2019 from 4:00-7:00PM. A Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary's Church, 9 Herbert St. Melrose on Saturday December 28th at 10:00AM. Interment with Military Honors at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose. Relatives & friends are respectfully invited to attend. Richie was a US Army Korean War Veteran. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his name to Quannapowitt Yacht Club, attn. Youth Sailing Program, P.O. Box 1744, Wakefield, MA 01880.