Rafael Patino Jr.

New Jersey/Delaware/Florida

Rafael Patino, 58, currently of Palm Bay, FL, went to Heaven to be with his personal Lord and Savior, on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at Palm Bay Hospital.

Rafael was born in Santiago, Cuba on March 6, 1964 to the late Rafael Patino Sr. and Clara M. Rodriguez Patino.  Rafael was a graduate of Kean College in Union, NJ, receiving an Associates Degree in Accounting.  He was married to Mark E. Beigay, his long-time partner of 29 years.

He worked as a Flight Attendant for People's Express Airlines, managed the National Car Rental Agency at a major airport, performed Customer Service and Dispatching for the New Jersey American Water Company in Short Hills, NJ, and became a Fraud Analyst for a national insurance company prior to retiring due to medical issues, which deemed Rafael physically disabled.  In August 2016, Rafael received a life-saving Kidney Transplant at Florida Hospital (currently Advent Hospital) in Orlando, FL.  And until his last day on this earth, he gave thanks to the person whose life was lost in order for Rafael to receive this life-saving gift.

As a devout Catholic and having one of the strongest faiths in his personal Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and his Saints, Rafael prayed daily, gave thanks for all the blessings God had bestowed upon him, and loved his family, friends and acquaintances he had met.  He was unselfish and would give the shirt off his back to anyone that needed it.  Rafael loved spending time with his family and friends, especially on the holidays, as well as spending quality time with his partner and Rescued Companion Dog Cooper.  Special memories were made, and Rafael takes those memories with him to Heaven.

Rafael had a deep passionate love for traveling, seeing much of the world when working in the travel industry, and when taking personal travel with family and friends.  He had always said that he is going to take those special memories with him, and that's about all you can take. You never see a Hearse pulling a U-Haul.

Rafael is survived by his Partner/Spouse of 29 years Mark E. Beigay; Mother Clara Rodriguez Patino; 3 Siblings: Grisel (Jesus) Montalvo of Orlando, FL; Dolores (Kenneth) Sliker of Raritan, NJ; Richard (Noami) Patino of Woodbridge, NJ; And his nieces and nephews:  Natasha DeLa Cruz and her children Chloe and Caroline; Yamel (Orlando) Morales and their children Kayla and Christian Morales; Breann Sliker; Kenneth Sliker Jr.; Miguel (Jose) Montalvo; Mya and Elijah Patino; Many cousins, with a special thank you to Maria Monserrat; Beigay family: mother in law Ann Chernek Beigay; brother in law Wayne "Diane" Beigay and family; brother in law David "Cheryl" Beigay and family; brother in law Glenn M. Beigay and family and other aunts, uncles and cousins; Close Friends: Natalie (Victor) Boyle and daughter Danielle, Diana  (John) Valente and daughter Gabby, Sholeh Aghdam and daughter Amanda, Margarita Mercado, and Elvira "Patricia" Criss.

He was preceded in death by his Father, Rafael Patino Sr., Maternal and Paternal Grandparents, father in law Jack M. Beigay and brother in law Timothy Beigay, and aunts and uncles, partner Michael Basile, and good friend Sandy Goodman and his companion dogs, Romeo and Dryfuss.

Any donations should be made directly to the non-profit organization Gabriel House of Care in Jacksonville, FL. Donations can be made via their website Gabrielhouseofcare.org and clicking on the Donate tab.