Saleh, Rafael (Rafi)

Son of Malka (Georgia) and Shlomo. He was born in 1947 in Iraq and immigrated to Israel with his family in 1951. Rafi grew up in Afula and studied at the Ohel Meir religious elementary school and continued his studies in high school son of Gurion. In May 1966, Rafi was drafted into the IDF and enlisted in the Engineering Corps, serving in combat engineering, fulfilling his wish to serve in a combat unit. His comfortable character, and the friendship and friendship relations that existed, and after his discharge from the IDF began working for the Ministry of Communications. Over the years he trained himself as a telephone technician at Bezeq and proved his loyalty and ability at work. During this period he married Yaffa and established a warm and loving family. He continued to serve in reserve duty in his unit, and with his friends he went through the Six Day War, Yom Kippur War and Lebanon. Over the years, the family expanded and had five children – Ronit, Lily, Eli, Carmit and Shauli. Raphi loved music, was a lively man, with a young soul and a constant smile on his face. He had various collections, coins and old bills and bottles of liquor. He was very optimistic and lived with love and peace in the bosom of his beloved family. On May 11, 1988, he fell during his service. He was laid to rest at the military cemetery in Afula. Survived by a wife, three daughters and two sons, parents, three brothers – Sasson, Meir and her servants and three sisters – Yaffa, Sarah and Carmela. In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, his commander wrote: “Raphael will be remembered by his commanders and friends as an open, generous and modest man. He passionately defended his work place and his co-workers. He never demanded and helped anyone who turned to him. This is a great loss for the family, and also for the Bezeq family. It would be difficult to fill the gap. We will preserve his memory in our hearts. “