Dr. Nachum Raphaeli, 78, died October 25, 2008 at the VNA Hospice in Vero Beach after a long battle with lung cancer.
He was born in Poland in 1930 and moved to Palestine in 1935. He studied under the British Rule in Palestine and fought in the war of independence in 1948. After the war, Nachum left Israel and traveled to Zurich, Switzerland to study medicine at the University of Zurich. He graduated in 1956, migrated to the USA, and settled in Chicago. A board certified OB-GYN, he practiced in Chicago and Libertyville, IL until he retired in 1995. He and his wife Sharon moved to Vero Beach in 2001. His greatest passions were his family and sailing, which he did since joining the Sea Scouts in Palestine as a young boy.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon, of Vero Beach, FL, his son Alan, of Buffalo Grove, IL, his three daughters, Robin Shartiag of Highland Park, IL, Lisa Watkins of Westport, CT and Tamara Raphaeli of Chicago, IL. He leaves behind eight grandchildren who loved their Poppy.
Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Treasure Coast Youth Sailing Foundation, 700 North Indian River Drive, P. O. Box 3108, Fort Pierce, FL.
A memorial service will be held at the Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral home, 1950 20th Street, Vero Beach on Tuesday, October 28th at 2PM with the Rabbi Michael Birnholz officiating.