Obituary of Rafael Padin

On January 19th, 1933 Iccencio Padin and Isidra Garcia, gave birth to a son named Jose Rafael Padin Garcia, in San Juan Puerto Rico. At the age of 20, Rafael met a beautiful young woman named Susana Martinez whom he married on September 3rd, 1955. Six children were born from their union: Rafael, Jr., Yolanda, Sandra, David, and the twins, Damaris and Brenda. To date, they have added 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren to their family. Rafael was a Korean War Era Veteran who played baseball with the US Army, during that time he was so good that the NY Giants (Now known as the San Francisco Giants) wanted him to play for their farm team in 1955 upon finishing his enlistment in the Army. In 1957 the NY Giants moved to San Francisco but, just having his first child, Rafael chose not to leave the love of his life and stood in New York to raise his family. Rafael worked many odd jobs; he was a NYC Taxi driver and a photographer for El Diaro and La Prensa newspapers as well as a wedding photographer. Later on Rafael was hired by the NYC MTA as a Transit Conductor and retired after 23 years. Rafael never looked back and never regretted his decision to stay with his family. Rafael’s greatest achievement was raising his six children and being there for them. Rafael was a humble man, a loving husband, a caring father, and a God loving man who served the Lord with his loving wife by his side. He had a wonderful sense of humor and the most infectious laugh. He loved playing the Güiro and listening to his favorite music from his beloved island of Puerto Rico. Rafael set the example for what a loving Father and wonderful Husband looked like. In his last years, Rafael and his Wife Susana moved in with their youngest daughter Brenda and their son-in-law John in their home in Staten Island to be closer to his family. Joyfully, he moved into the apartment above his daughter, leaving his home at 231 Hoyt Street, Brooklyn behind. He did so with a pep in his step and a smile in his heart, as he’s always wanted to be closer to his children. On December 29th, 2022 at 7:50 am, exactly 4 months to the day of our mother Susana’s passing, The Lord called Rafael home and now is reunited with his loving wife Susana whom he was married to for 67 years. He leaves behind a legacy consisting of his sons and daughters. Rafael Jr. and his wife Laura, David and his wife Dawn, His daughter Yolanda and her husband Freddie, his daughter Sandra and her husband Michael, as well as his twins Damaris and Brenda and her husband John. He also leaves behind his 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. To our dearest father, loving husband, grandfather, great-grandfather and patriarch, we say farewell and celebrate your life with the following verse: John 14: 1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. “