(Ervin) Roy Raphael

July 31, 1928 - January 7, 2021

We lost our Dad, Roy, on January 7th, 2021, unexpectedly – at the young age of 92. In spite of trying to make it to 104, he managed to live an exceptionally huge life. He died in the hospital from complications of cancer.

Roy was born on 7/31/1928 in Oakland, CA, the first child of Ervin Roy Raphael and Verniece Irene Adams. His little sister Verniece Irene Raphael soon followed.

He graduated from University of California@ Berkeley in 1950 where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He met our mother, Nancy Joyce Morgan, at UC Berkeley and they were married August 5th, 1950. He fought in the Korean war from 1950-1952, when he came home to Berkeley and began his career working for Shell Oil.

Roy was predeceased by his parents and his wife Nancy of 66 years – who passed in 2016.

Roy is survived by his 3 “girls”, who he would talk about for hours to anyone who would listen, Ginger Raphael (Kirk Wayland), Jane Truesdell (Mike Truesdell), and Nancy Lee Strickland (Jim Strickland). He was a “fun” dad, he taught us to waterski, snow ski, race sailboats, shoot hoops, throw a ball, and always, to have the courage of our convictions, speak for ourselves, play hard and work just as hard.

He also leaves 4 adoring grandchildren, David Buell (Allison), Christian Truesdell (Alicia), Tim Truesdell (Jackie), and Megan Buell Hogeboom (Bobby Hogeboom), in addition to 3 great grandchildren, Charlie Truesdell, Charlotte Hogeboom, and Julian Truesdell. He was a favorite of all his grandchildren, who – like their mothers, were lucky enough to spend weeks on the water with “Papa Boat”, learning about “all things related to boats”.

He is also survived by his beloved little sister, Verniece Raphael of Healdsburg.

Roy’s love of boats and anything that had to do with the water led him to completely change course in 1984 when he sold his business in the Sf Bay Area and moved to Anacortes Washington, opening a yacht brokerage which he owned until he retired. During this time, he sailed the Pacific and Atlantic oceans – always accompanied by Nancy, his wife, and many, many, best friends. They spent summers sailing through the Canadian Gulf Islands, Alaska, and the San Juan Islands – always with friends and family. He was living his best life, and it continued through this past spring and summer when he spent 5 months on his beloved “SEAFARER”, a 42’ Grand Banks that he piloted himself all around the San Juan Islands.

Roy’s life after Nancy passed was further enriched by the second love of his life, his dear Verla. They were so very fortunate to be able to have such a special love, and one that lasted until the morning that he passed away, with her by his side. We are forever grateful to Verla Hayes for welcoming Roy and his family into her heart. She is and always will be a dearly loved member of our family.

Besides his family and Verla, Roy leaves behind a vast community of friends in and around Anacortes, WA. They loved and supported him up to and during the end of his life. We would like to mention each and every one of them, but there are too many to count. Roy will be sorely missed. His memory, and legacy, lives on in his children, grandchildren, and his friends all around the country.