Donald A. Raifstanger

01/29/2005

Donald A. Raifstanger, 74, of 21 Quarry St. died Saturday at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield after a short illness. Born in Great Barrington on Sept. 12, 1930, son of Earl B. and Mildred Kline Raifstanger, he was a 1949 graduate of the former Searles High School. His father ran the Mahaiwe Theatre for many years. After graduating, he enlisted in the Air Force and was a Korean War veteran. Mr. Raifstanger was employed for many years by the former Pioneer Credit Corp. as a loan officer. When the office closed, he worked at the former Berkshire Bank and Trust Co. as a loan officer and then was the finance manager at Bedard Brothers Auto Dealership in Cheshire, from which he retired. He was a member of James A. Modolo Veterans of Foreign Wars post and a collector of original German beer steins. He spent many summers at the family cottage on Lake Buel in Great Barrington and many summer vacations with his family on Cape Cod. While in his 50s, he obtained the rank of second-degree black belt in Uechi-Ryu Karate, studying in Pittsfield. His wife, the former Joan Cook, whom he married July 27, 1957, at St. James' Episcopal Church in Great Barrington, died Feb. 25, 1983. He leaves three sons, D. Allyn Raifstanger of Cincinnati, Mark Raifstanger of Sheffield and Peter Raifstanger of Great Barrington; a sister, Helen Cavanaugh of Great Barrington, and seven grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- Services for Donald A. Raifstanger will be conducted Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005, at 2 at St. James' Episcopal Church in Great Barrington by the Rev. Catherine Woods Richardson, rector. Burial will follow in the family plot in Elmwood Cemetery. There will be no public calling hours. Expressions of sympathy in Donald's memory may be made to Five Talents International Fund, which assists citizens of Third World countries in establishing their own businesses to become self-sufficient, in care of BIRCHES-ROY Funeral Home, 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230, which is in charge of arrangements. He leaves his daughers-in-law, Karen Raifstanger of Cincinnati, Mary Ellen Raifstanger of Sheffield and Audrey Raifstanger of Great Barrington, and seven grandchildren, Brandon, Grant and Maxwell Raifstanger of Cincinnati, Jacob and Courtney Raifstanger of Sheffield, and Caroline and Diana Raifstanger of Great Barrington. Two brothers predeceased him, Earl B. Raifstanger Jr. and John T. Raifstanger.

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