Obituary of Rafik R. Habra

Rafik R. Habra passed away after a long illness on Friday, April 29, 2016 at his home in Stamford, CT. He was 70. Son of the late Robert and Mary Saad Habra, he was born on May 25, 1945, in Jaffa, Palestine. Rafik spent his childhood in Cairo, Egypt and later moved to Beirut, Lebanon. He graduated from Columbia University in New York with a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering. Rafik married the former Karen Rueger on July 5, 1970, at St. Mary's Church in Wappingers Falls, NY. Mrs. Habra survives at home. Rafik began his career with IBM at their East Fishkill location in 1967 and in 1997 transferred to the IBM Almaden Research Center in San Jose, CA. He retired in 2002 after receiving numerous awards including an IBM Corporate Award for his work on interactive wiring as well as a U.S. Patent. After retirement, he tutored in French, Arabic and Mathematics. A polite gentleman, Rafik was generous, kind and very fond of classical music. He enjoyed reading, travel and special times with his extended family. He and his wife shared a love of the ocean, especially the Monterey Peninsula in CA. As a father, he was a patient teacher and inspired confidence in both his daughters. He will always be remembered as a devoted husband and loving father. In addition to his wife, Karen Habra, he is survived by his daughters, Elise Habra of San Jose, CA and Christine Carbonetti and her husband, Jason of White Plains, NY; his brother, Nadim Habra and his wife, Helene; his sister, Carol Tawileh and her husband, Simon; his sister in law, Irene Scofield; his brother in law, Neal Rueger as well as a niece and nephew. Family will receive friends on Thursday, May 5, 2016 from 4-8pm at Straub, Catalano and Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10am on Friday, May 6, 2016 at St. Mary's Church, Clinton Street in Wappingers Falls, NY. Interment will follow in Wappingers Rural Cemetery, West Main Street in Wappingers Falls. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Amyloidosis Foundation, 7151 N Main Street, Suite 2, Clarkston, MI 48346. For directions or to send the family a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.