Remembering Rafa
May his memory be a blessing
Rafa's life inspired these specific ideas to let his memory serve as an everyday blessing among living people who are actively suffering. While he was alive, he modeled this behavior. At times, he was the one to benefit from these kind actions by others.1. Volunteer at a shelter, donate food and extend compassion to those who are unhoused and struggling with mental health and addiction issues.2. Assemble and distribute care kits to people living on the streets including travel sized, essential personal hygiene items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, deodorant, wet wipes, and feminine hygiene products. Watch this video for ideas or search the internet for "care kits for homeless" for instructions.3. Donate puzzles, art supplies and games to recovery programs that need them.4. Donate to Threshold Choir. Mention the Santa Cruz chapter who sang for our celebration. Or mention his mother's chapter, Boulder Threshold Singers who sang for the family multiple times including with Rafa at the funeral home and the Boulder Morningstar Zen Center memorial. Rafa was a guest at rehearsal with his mom in July 2025 and felt many of these songs directly.
Songs We Sing for Rafa
Weight of the World - Peggy Nes
Safe Passage - Terry Garthwaite
Toward the Stars - Dan Oliveri (lyrics)/Tammy Heinsohn (music)
Bright Blue Sky - Melanie DeMore
To My Old Brown Earth - Pete Seger
Send us your Rafa photos!We would love any photos of Rafa that you may have, especially ones we've never seen. Add to this shared album or reach out about how to send them:
Photos of Rafa