Gerald John "JJ" Rafan, 26, formerly of Dunkirk and Florida, passed away suddenly on Sunday, September 25, 2016 at his residence in Colorado. He was born July 15, 1990 in Dunkirk, the son of Julie and Charles (Fedyszyn) Kuell of Fredonia and the late Gerald B. "Jerry" Rafan.
JJ attended Fredonia High School, Jamestown Community College and Lake Sumter State College. He recently accepted a position working at a ski resort in Vail, CO. He was previously employed at Kuell Concrete and Asphalt Services in Fredonia, as well as Publix, The Villages Regional Hospital and Lowe's in Lady Lake, FL. Along with his grandfather and sister, he was a former volunteer at the Dunkirk Lighthouse. He enjoyed building computers and attending music festivals.
JJ will be remembered for his quick wit and infectious smile.
JJ is survived by, in addition to his mother and stepfather, his sister and best friend, Jordyn (Rob) Bartkowiak of Colorado Springs, CO; his loving maternal grandparents, John E. and Darlene (Wolfe) Fedyszyn of The Villages, FL; his paternal grandparents, Gerald and Linda Rafan of Dunkirk; uncle, John Robert (Joy) Fedyszyn of Wilmington, NC; aunts; his godmother, Kimberly (Eirik) Ellis of Murrysville, PA; sister, Jennifer (Brad) McIlvain of East Aurora, NY; aunts, Kimberly (Mike) Killion and Karen (Frank) Gill, both of Dunkirk; caring friend, Jason Spicer; and stepbrother, Tyler Kuell. Several cousins, friends and great-aunts and great-uncles also survive. In addition to his father, who died on January 18, 2008, he was predeceased by his great-grandparents, Robert and Mildred (Milly) Wolfe and John B. and Elizabeth (Betty) Fedyszyn.
Relatives and friends may call the R. Mackowiak Funeral Home, 56 East Doughty Street, Dunkirk, NY on Friday, October 7 from 7-9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said on Saturday, October 8 at 10 a.m. from Blessed Mary Angela Church of St. Hyacinth, 295 Lake Shore Drive East, Dunkirk, NY. A message of remembrance may be left for the family at www.rmackowiak.com.
Flowers greatly declined. Because of JJ's love of animals, memorial donations may be made to the Lakeshore Humane Society, 431 Chestnut St., Dunkirk.
Obituary from the Observer
