Rafael A. Berrios, 61, Enjoyed golf, dominoes, volleyball, music and the Cleveland Indians

Born April 25, 1941 in Comerio, Puerto Rico, he moved to Lorain where he lived for 20 years before moving to Atlanta, GA and then to Conyers, GA.

He graduated from Lorain High School and obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration while in Ohio.

Rafael worked as Regional Director in the Office of Civil Rights Enforcement of the US Department of Agriculture in GA, retiring in 1995. He also worked for several state and federal government agencies, where he touched many lives. His fondness for Hispanics motivated his to develop and implement several programs that promoted and protected minority groups in the federal workplace. He gained the respect and admiration of his colleagues and was able to help those in the government as well as in private organizations.

He served as President of the Ohio Chapter of Image, a national organization concerned with government employment for Hispanics, and Vice President and Chairperson of the Affirmative Action Committee of the greater Atlanta Chapter of Image.

He was a member of Centro Hispano of Lorain, AFL-CIO of GA, Sacred Heart Chapel Federal Credit Union, Lorain, where he served as Chairman, Spanish American Committee/Housing Task Force of Lorain, and was appointed to the Mayor's Action Committee of Cleveland.

Rafael's strong personality, positive attitude towards life, and great sense of humor allowed him to make a difference. He truly lived and enjoyed life to the fullest. Rafael surrounded himself with family and friends at his lake house in Georgia, and took pride in cooking the traditional roasted pork, along with other Puerto Rican dishes.

He enjoyed playing golf, dominoes, volleyball and great music. He was also a devoted Cleveland Indian Fan.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Emyne (nee Arocho); 3 sons, Arnaldo Berrios, Ralph Berrios, both of Lorain, Rafael Berrios of Lorain, Jose Berrios of Washington D.C., Juan Berrios, Jr. of Atlanta, GA; 2 sisters, Maria A. Flores and Carmen Lydia Longo, both of Lorain.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Don Juan and Eduarda (nee Rivera) Berrios; brother, Alberto Berrios and grandson, Anthony.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, October 13, 2002 from 3-7 p.m. in the Dovin Funeral Home, 2701 Elyria Ave., Lorain. Services will be held in the funeral home on Monday at 8:45 a.m. followed by mass at 9:30 a.m. at Scared Heart Chapel, 4301 Pearl Avenue, Lorain. Father Dennis St. Marie will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.

Contributions may be made, if desired, to the American Cancer Society, Atlanta Office, 2200 Lake Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30319.