Raphael Rosa
Age 80 of Wilmington, DE

Died on May 25, 2025, after a lengthy illness.

He leaves behind his wife, Lynne Young-Rosa, to whom he was happily married for 36 years; six children, eight grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

Mr. Rosa was born to Nicolas Rosa Perez and Maria Arroyo de Rosa, in Manhattan, NYC on February 5, 1945. One of six siblings, Raphael, grew up in New York and moved to Brentwood Long Island with his family in the early 1950s. He graduated from Brentwood High School in 1962 and attended CW Post College. He married his childhood sweetheart, Juanita Diaz Torres. Raphael and Juanita had four children, Wilhelmina, Raphael, Devi-Anna, and Liza before divorcing.

Subsequently, Mr. Rosa met and married Virginia Land, with whom he had a son, Quinn. This marriage also ended in divorce, after which Raphael spent several years and a single parent before meeting and marrying Lynne. She brought her son, Rex, forming a large, blended family.

As a young man, Raphael held several positions before settling on a long career in higher education administration. He retired in 2009 from the City University of New York (CUNY) as the Director of Compliance. CUNY is the largest urban university in the country.

Raphael and Lynne spent their 'golden years" traveling and exploring the world. He embarked on a second career as a painter, enjoying success in New York and Wilmington, Delaware.

He celebrated life and left it with no regrets.

All services will be held privately.

Obituary was thoughtfully composed by Mr. Rosa days before his passing.