Paul Murray David Raftus

We’re deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of Paul Murray David Raftus. Paul died doing his newest passion; riding his new toy, his electric trike, on the BLT trail on a sunny, warm afternoon.

Paul was born at his parent’s home in Halifax on March 23/49 as the baby of a family of 15, a fact that shaped the rest of his life.

Paul was predeceased by his parents, Helen (Busch) and John, his brothers Freddie, John, Lorraine (Rannie), Cecil and Nelson, his sisters Joanie, Evelyn, Joyce. He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years and best friend, Cheryl (Telfer); brothers David and Eric, sisters Shirley, Barb, Gloria and Carol.

Paul spent his early years working various jobs, then worked for a few years as a Corrections Officer but eventually found his true calling as a Longshoreman working on the Halifax Waterfront as an ILA member. He joined the Longshoreman’s card board in December of 1967 and finally became a full ILA member in 1986. The early days working on the waterfront were hard work, all manual labor working with only a bag hook and muscles but Paul loved it. Paul would come home from work with his clothes filthy, stinking and covered with flour dust or grease but always said “Honey, that’s the smell of money”. Shipping slowly transitioned to more containerized cargo and less bulk cargo so he transitioned also from manual labor to operating the equipment used to load/move the containers. This is where he was the happiest; he loved operating these big machines and he was really skilled at it. He often joked/complained that they’d never make him a boss because he was too good on the machines. While on the waterfront, his size earned him the nickname “Buddah” and then in later years, his nickname changed to “Mad Dog” because of his reputation for not putting up with BS. Paul retired early from the waterfront in 2009 because he could no longer climb the ladders to get into the equipment but it never left him; he was drawn to every port in every city we ever visited. After a year in retirement Paul was bored and signed up to be a Crossing Guard at BLT Elementary School where he worked until his death. He truly loved seeing all of the children and parents every day and greeted each one with a cheery “Good Morning”. Paul said “You never know how hard someone’s morning has been and just a cheery good morning might help. He took the time to talk to, and really listen to, each child and thoroughly enjoyed tormenting them. Paul enjoyed and respected them all and that was reciprocated in the numerous “thank you” cards he received every Christmas and year end.

Paul met the love of his life, Cheryl, in early 1980 and they were married in October 1982. Paul and Cheryl loved to travel and took many cruises and a number of trips to Europe during their 41 years together. Paul was never one to sit at a resort, he needed to “see and do” while he was traveling so cruising was a perfect vacation for him, always a new place to see every day. He absorbed all he could about every place he visited because he had a deep interest in history. One of the highlights for Paul was getting to visit a place he’d been interested in all his life, the Mayan ruins, which he got to do a couple of times. Paul’s all time favorite destination was Amsterdam though. Getting off the plane the first time there, Paul looked around and said “I’m home.” Walking thru the city, he seemed to know where he was going and never got lost. He talked often about moving “home” to Amsterdam some day. Paul and Cheryl were best friends and went everywhere together. It was very rare to see Paul without Cheryl by his side. Paul also loved his cats and had a number of them over the years. He especially loved his Siamese cats, Ming, Thelma, Louise and Sara. In later life, when Paul’s various health concerns were getting worse, he would always have a nap on the couch in the afternoon with Sara lying on his side. Both were in their happy place.