Msgt Raymond Villafana

MSgt Raymond Villafana, USAF, Ret., age 87, of Citra, Florida, passed away peacefully on July 29th, 2015, at his residence, after a full lifetime and decorated military service, world travel and accomplishment. His loving wife Maria del Carmen was by his side, having cared for him throughout his courageous battle with cardiomyopathy.

He was born in Greenpoint Brooklyn, NY, the second of three sons of the late Leovigildo Villafaña Ortiz and Rosa Maria Solivan. MSgt Villafana spent time in foster homes during his early childhood. In 1942 he went to work at the young age of 14 to help support his mother and younger brother Teddy, after his father was killed in WWII, when his vessel was torpedoed in the North Atlantic. He worked as a busboy, dishwasher and a runner in a Horn and Hardart Automat; tried to join the Navy, but was discharged when they found out his age; buffed out cars in an auto repair shop; and worked for a silk screen processing company. From 1945 to 1949 he followed his father's footsteps and joined the Merchant Marines during WWII, as an able-bodied seaman and a "steward's man". He recalls Frank Sinatra performing during his time in boot camp in Sheepshead's Bay, Brooklyn. He sailed all around the world. Some of his favorite ports of calls included: Bremerhaven and Bremen, Germany; Norway and Gothenburg, Sweden; Copenhagen, Denmark; and his favorite, Cebu, Philippines. He recalls sitting by the 50mm guns looking at the ocean.

He left the Merchant Marines to marry his first wife, Olga Felicita Cantre and in 1951 joined the US Air Force, and honorably served for 22 years. Starting as an aircraft mechanic and becoming a crew chief and flight chief on various types of propeller and multi-engine aircraft and NCOIC of transient alert aircraft. He also held the position of Chief of Analysis under the base commander. He served under five commands, SAC and TAC, and was awarded numerous medals and commendations. In 1970, he won the SAW Outstanding Airman of the Year for the 96th Strategic Aerospace Wing for the USAF. During the TET Offensive in Vietnam, he was assigned to Bien Hoa, AB and considered the assignment his "most challenging." He served as a maintenance analyst with the third TFW that won the Presidential Unit Citation and Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

A voracious reader, his many interests and hobbies included guitar playing, Egyptology, geology, coin, stamp, and postcard collecting, flea markets, golf, crossword puzzles, chess and anthropology. He was certified in sign language and a notary public.

Survivors include his wife Maria Carmen; daughters, Sylvia Villafaña, Dr. Olga-Iris Wasile and Norma Villafaña whose first initials spell "SON", from his first marriage to the late Olga Felicita Cantre Villafaña; three grandsons and three great grandchildren. He also shares four step children, Adolfo (Firo) Romo, Armando Romo, Aracelia Flores, and Andres Romo (deceased), 10 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren with Maria. His brother, Dr. Theodore Villafaña and his family have been a blessing to him as have all his nieces and nephews. His older brother Leovigildo, is deceased.

MSgt Raymond Villafana can be remembered as a self-made man who overcame many odds, through his hard work and perseverance to make his mark on the world, overcoming discrimination in his personal and military career. Intelligent, sensitive, and always curious, he was proud to bravely serve his country. Brother, husband, father, grandfather, and uncle, he will be missed.

Funeral Services will be held at Countryside Funeral Home, September 4, 2015 from 10am - 1pm.  Burial will follow at Bushnell National Cemetery at 2:30pm.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project in MSgt Villafana's name.