Obituary of James R. Raftis Sr.

James Richard Raftis, 93, of Owego, NY, passed away on May 11, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was welcomed into heaven by his Lord Jesus Christ and his beloved wife, Virginia. We believe he heard the words of Jesus, "Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord" (Matt 25:21). Jim was predeceased by his parents, William (Bill) and Dorothy Raftis. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Dr. James Jr. and Sheryl Raftis of Owego, NY; his daughter, Theresa Raftis of Olean, NY, and six grandchildren: Joshua Raftis, Esq. (Dr. Kelly Kimball) of Washington, DC, Stephanie (Lucas) Gibson of Littleton, CO, Collin Young of Olean, NY, Daniel Raftis (fiancée, Bella Coleman) of Washington, DC, Natalie Young of Olean, NY, and Rachel Raftis of Owego, NY. He is also survived by his first great-grandson, Peter Raftis, who was born this past April. Additionally, Jim is survived by his two sisters, Carol Raftis of Clark, NJ, and Dorolyn Perry of Binghamton, NY; his sister-in-law, Pauline McSparron of Athens, PA, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Jim, known as "JR" to his colleagues and friends and as "Gedo" by his grandchildren, was born at Tioga General Hospital in Waverly, NY, and spent his entire life in the Flats area of Owego. He was proud of his neighborhood and was recently recognized as the oldest living "Flat Rat." He also earned the nickname "Mayor of Charlotte Street," as his house was the only one on the street! Jim attended St. Patrick's Parochial School and graduated from Owego Free Academy in 1950. In high school, he discovered his love of media and reporting by calling in football and basketball game scores to the Binghamton and Elmira newspapers. After high school, Jim began working at the Owego Gazette, where he became editor at the young age of 21. He was then drafted into the U.S. Army to serve in Korea, where his typing skills were used to help record the soldiers who were killed or went missing in action. His proficiency with typing led to a job with IBM in 1954, where he started out working in a small "closet" office in Vestal. Later, he was transferred to the Human Resources Department in Owego with the opening of IBM Federal Systems. One of his initial key responsibilities was to find housing for new employees and to coordinate developments in Lincolnshire, Hallstead, and Ridgewood. Jim's dedication and attention to detail earned him the respect and admiration of countless colleagues throughout his 45-year career, retiring in 1999 as a Personnel Specialist. While Jim was devoted to his family and his career, he also gave more than 60 years to serving his beloved community. He turned his passion for reporting and his deep love for Owego and his country into a lifetime of service, earning him the nickname the "Voice of Owego." Through his work on local radio station WEBO and in area newspapers, he informed, celebrated, and connected the people around him. There isn't enough space to list every life he touched, whether through his own efforts or through his gift for encouraging others to act on an idea, but his impact was far-reaching. Jim began broadcasting weekly Owego Little League baseball games in 1959 and continued for almost 40 years from the press box (later named in his honor), often mentoring young announcers along the way. This legacy held special meaning, as his grandfather Nick Raftis helped found the league in 1955. From 1997 to 2017, he served on the League's Board of Directors as Public Relations Chairman. From 1959 through the late 1990s, Jim also provided live play-by-play for OFA football games. He and his son Jim Jr. would haul cords and cables to football fields across the region, often joined in the booth by beloved local voices like Bob Fenton and Jesse Mikel. In 1962, he launched the "Spotlight on Sports" Sunday radio show, which he hosted for 35 years. Each week, he interviewed local coaches and players about their games, highlighting their achievements and the lessons learned in defeat. He took particular pride in offering equal coverage to high school girls' sports, long before it was common. In 1968, Jim's steadfast commitment to veterans began when he took on the role of Chairman and Master of Ceremonies for the Memorial Day ceremony at the Tioga County Courthouse Square, a position he held for more than 50 years. He was instrumental in the creation of the current Tioga County Veterans Memorial and led many other veteran-focused events, including tributes on Flag Day, Veterans Day and Pearl Harbor Day. He organized the Flags-In Project, recruiting volunteers and service groups to place flags on every veteran's grave throughout Tioga County. In recent years, he brought the national Wreaths Across America program to local cemeteries, helping ensure that each fallen hero was remembered with a wreath placed in their honor every December. In 1969, he began broadcasting the 9 a.m. Radio Mass for Shut-Ins at St. Patrick Church every Sunday. This was a commitment he kept for nearly 30 years, missing only one Sunday, so that those unable to attend in person could still feel connected to their faith. Over the years, Jim was also the live commentator for nearly every major Tioga County parade, including the Strawberry Festival, Apalachin Firemen's Field Days, Nichols Old Home Days, and the Candor Fourth of July celebration. He also brought the excitement of the "Great Owego to Nichols Raft Race" to life on the radio for many summers. With his retirement in 1999, Jim was able to increase his already deep involvement in the community. But perhaps most meaningful to him was the role he fully embraced: being an involved, supportive, and mentoring grandfather. To his grandchildren, he was simply "Gedo," a name lovingly given to him by his beloved Ukrainian wife, Virginia. Gedo was a daily presence in their lives, whether in person or over the phone. He traveled near and far to attend their sporting events, concerts, dance recitals, church activities, musicals, birthday parties, and graduations—whether for his four grandchildren in Owego or his two in Olean. He was always eager to show off his pride in his children and grandchildren, often wearing a sweatshirt from whichever one of their colleges had a basketball game coming up. Many of their friends fondly called him Gedo too, as he made a point to ask about their lives and cheer them on as if they were his own. He encouraged all his grandchildren to strive for their best and was never shy about offering one of his famous "talks" when someone needed extra guidance or a reminder to do the right thing. He carried his bag of newspapers wherever he went, somehow managing to stay current with the news while never missing a moment with his grandchildren. As they grew older and moved away to college and beyond, Jim gave them a simple way to feel close to him: he told them to think of him whenever they saw a full moon. To this day, sharing a photo of the full moon with a simple "Gedo" message has become a cherished family ritual. His children and grandchildren are forever grateful for his steadfast example of what it means to be both a loving man and a committed citizen. His legacy lives on through them and will continue for generations. Retirement also brought the freedom to indulge in two of Jim's great joys: a good breakfast and a hamburger for lunch. He and Virginia were regulars at Bill's Diner, the Blue Dolphin, Nick's Pizza, River Rock Diner, and Harris Diner. These outings weren't just about the food, they were opportunities to connect, to network, and to recruit others into the many projects he had in motion. If Jim saw you, called you, or emailed you, chances were good he'd be giving you an "action item" for an upcoming event. He was especially proud to be the only Owego native welcomed into the ROMEOs—Retired Old Men Eating Out—at Becky's Diner in Waverly, where he enjoyed many breakfasts and plenty of conversation, working with his fellow members to solve both local and national issues. In his later years, Jim remained actively engaged in the Owego community through in-person visits, phone calls, emails, and his Facebook posts. He stayed connected until his passing, thanks to his own resolve and the love and support of family, friends, and neighbors who walked beside him. Many former and current Flat Rats, St. Patrick/Blessed Trinity parishioners, and relatives checked in on Jim regularly, bringing meals, offering kind words, and keeping him in their prayers. Scott Brechbuehl of Olean, NY, was a dear friend to Jim for more than 20 years and remained a constant source of support and companionship. His wonderful neighbor, Jamie Striley, took Jim for Saturday breakfasts and car rides around the county for years, allowing him to continue his "Around Town" Facebook posts. Jamie also mowed Jim's lawn each week, always "just before it would rain," as Jim would say. Over the last months and years, Jim also received loving attention from his younger sisters, Carol and Dorolyn, who share his devotion to the community and continue his legacy of supporting Tioga County veterans. For over six years, Jim received care from Wendy Singer, his devoted and cheerful home health aide, who brightened his mornings with her smile and laughter. She was truly a Godsend to the family. Lori Espe and Margy Thomas Espe Demetros, both fellow Flat Rats, also came regularly, offering help whenever it was needed. He also found strength in the support of spiritual leaders who visited him in person or by phone over the years, including: Fr. Galens, Fr. Muscatella, Deacon Donovan, Fr. Fowler, Fr. Moorby, and longtime friend Patrick Van Durme. He shared a special friendship with the visiting African Catholic priests: Bishop John Afoakwah and Fr. Peter of Ghana, and also Fr. Malachy of Nigeria, who affectionately referred to Jim as "Chief." Jim was well cared for by the dedicated staff at the Guthrie Clinic and Robert Packer Hospital, including Dr. Corey, Dr. Sattur, Dr. Deshmukh, Mary Romanyshyn, the Emergency Department staff, and the many nurses and care partners who helped him. His son, Dr. Jim Raftis Jr., provided close oversight to ensure Jim received the best possible care, and together with his wife Sheryl and sister Theresa, they worked tirelessly to help him live a full and meaningful life all the way to the end. Jim lived a long and purposeful life, anchored by deep faith, unwavering service, and love for those around him. Whether standing in Courthouse Square or dining with a grandchild, he gave his full heart to every moment. His presence will be dearly missed, but his legacy is woven into the fabric of both his family and his community. For decades, Jim's on-air signoff came from a line by Grantland Rice: "For when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, He writes—not that you won or lost—but how you played the Game." Jim played it with grace, integrity, and a steadfast devotion to his faith, family, and community. -30- A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 24 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Church, 300 Main Street, Owego, NY. Burial will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to calling hours on Friday, May 23 from 4:00–7:00 p.m. at Estey, Munroe & Fahey Funeral Home, 15 Park Street, Owego, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in memory of Jim Raftis to Owego Little League, PO Box 2, Owego, NY 13827 or to Tioga County Rural Ministry, 146 Central Avenue, Suite 2, Owego, NY 13827. The funeral service will be broadcast live on WEBO AM 1330 and can be found online at www.myhometowntoday.com Condolences may be made to the family at www.emfaheyfuneralhome.com.