"Thinking of you Mary. Big hugs for you and your family."
In loving memory of
Rafael A. Munoz
December 10, 1933 - January 22, 2021
Rafael Andres Muñoz Marti died January 22, 2021, from complications related to Alzheimer's dementia. Rafael was born December 10, 1933, in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, and grew up in New Orleans, New York City, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and various other locations. He was a Catholic seminarian in high school in Puerto Rico and at St. John's University in St. Cloud, Minnesota but left college to enter the US Army intelligence corps, where he served in Germany. He trained at Camp LeJeune, earned top-secret crypto clearance, and used his multiple languages to help intercept and translate intelligence communications. After the Army, he worked for Pinkerton detective agency in Minneapolis, ran a manufacturing plant in Puerto Rico, and worked in economic development for Fomento, the Economic Development Agency of the Government of Puerto Rico. After being posted to Atlanta with Fomento, he went to work for the Canadian Consulate General in Atlanta, where he met his wife, Mary. After his retirement from the Canadian Consulate, Rafael moved with his wife to San Francisco, California, and then to Phoenix, Arizona.
Rafael was a huge music fan and sang in choirs at church as well as in the San Francisco City Chorus. Most recently he was a member of the Parish Choir at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Phoenix. He loved classical music, the symphony, opera, and musical theater. An avid non-fiction reader, he had a special interest in current events, American history, and presidential biographies. Thomas Jefferson was one of his heroes. Rafael was well-traveled, and with Mary, he traveled in Europe, Morocco, Turkey and Greece, the Caribbean, and to China to adopt the youngest daughter Lily.
Rafael is survived by his wife of 32 years, Mary McHaney Muñoz; his four children--Elizabeth Reach, Russell Muñoz, Victoria Morris, and Lily Muñoz; his first wife Caroline Muñoz; 9 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Isabel Muñoz Marti, and his two brothers, Luis Muñoz Marti and Jaime Muñoz Marti.
In lieu of flowers, Rafael's family would appreciate donations to Alzheimer's research.
Tributes
"So sorry to hear this Mary. Sounds like a wonderful legacy and a life well lived."
"Mary, I\'m heartbroken. I never had the pleasure of meeting Rafael, but I know how much love there was between you. I truly enjoy hearing your stories about your family - the funny ones and the difficult ones. Alzheimer\'s is cruel to everyone it touches and I empathize... I will turn my heartbreak and empathy to passion and fight and will continue to do the Run/Walks to raise money and will keep you and your family in my mind and heart as I run. It is my sincere hope in our lifetime we see a cure. For now my thoughts are with you. I\'m sending you love, light, strength and a hug.
-Chris Brimble"
"Mary, I am so sad for your loss. I know how you loved and fondly talked about Rafael. And, I also know how difficult it has been these last years. I too am a music lover and have learned so much from non-fiction, especially biographies and auto-biographies. I so much appreciate the contributions Rafael made in his lifetime to help others and preserve freedoms. I will keep you in my prayers. I hope and pray that someday we can make great strides and overcome advanced dementia and Alzheimer\'s. My wife and I took care of my mother who had the same battle for years. Brian Magnone"
"Mary, Rochelle and I send our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. May Rafael\'s memory be a blessing. Jay and Rochelle Zimmer"