Louis J. "Lou" Rafferty

Warren – Louis J. “Lou” Rafferty, 72, of Warren has “fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith” (2 Tim.4:7).  After battling many health issues, Lou went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at St. Joseph Hospital.

Lou was born on June 15, 1952 in McKeesport, PA, a son of the late John R. and Eleanor (Banky) Rafferty.

Lou was a 1970 graduate of John F. Kennedy High School and then studied engineering at Youngstown State University and Kent State University for 4 years. He went on to have a successful career as a Plant Engineer. He worked at many places, one of the most memorable being The Herman Corporation (Zelienople, PA), where he met his wife, Elaine; he was also a Plant Engineer at North Side Hospital in Youngstown and later at General Extrusions in Youngstown. Lou was eventually self-employed as the proud owner and operator of Handyman Hotline Appliance Repair in Warren.

Outside of work, Lou sang Irish music for 40 years around the area with his band Lou Rafferty & Company. The band frequented Irish Bob’s, McMenamy’s, Quaker Steak & Lube, the Canfield Fair, and Kravitz Deli, and were local favorites every St. Patrick’s Day, a holiday which was Lou’s favorite. Lou also enjoyed golfing with many dear friends; a hobby in which he excelled. Most of all, Lou’s heart and soul was his family and his friends. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Lou will always be cherished and remembered fondly by his beloved wife of 42 ½ years, whom he married in 1982, Elaine (Fuchs) Rafferty of Warren; his precious daughter, Sarah (Chris) Taylor of Niles; brother-in-law, Eric (Tina) Fox of Volant, PA; sisters-in-law, Kristi (Ted) Kairys of Pittsburgh, PA, and Jinny (Jim) Braun of Pittsburgh, PA, and many precious nieces and nephews and dear friends; in particular his “Fab Four” friends, Dr. Greg George, Tom Anderson, and Tom Pabin, who Lou considered the brothers he never had that had been friends since high school.

Family and friends may visit and pay tribute to Lou on Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 4 to 7pm at the Peter Rossi & Son Memorial Chapel of Warren, 1884 North Road NE.

Additional Calling Hours will be on Friday, January 31, 2025, from 11 to 12 noon at North Mar Church, 3855 E Market St, Warren, OH 44484.

A Funeral Service will follow at the Church at 12 noon. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Lou’s name to North Mar Church, 3855 E Market St, Warren, OH 44484.

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