A lifelong member of the Boston Musicians Union and the South Florida Musicians Union, Ralph was born in Boston and was an ardent student prolific on the keyboards, piano, and his signature accordion. He graduated from The New England Conservatory of Music and later taught there. He played in the Latin Quarter; serenaded with Hildegarde in Saratoga, and worked at Lou Walters Clubs playing for Kings and Kingpens alike. He served in World War II and was assigned a spot in the Army's Presidential Band where he couldn't very well carry a keyboard, but relished that he proudly paraded with his glockenspiel.

Rafael moved to Miami, Florida with his family in the early 1960's, playing all the fabulous hotels on the beach, most memorably the Carillon with its garish French Revue. He was in the league of the greats of the time including Sinatra, Bennett and Sammy Davis, Jr. He opened the Starlight Roof at the Doral Beach and then went on to open and perform almost a decade of entertaining with his fabulous trio at the Doral Country Club. When Luciano Pavarotti played South Florida, he always hired Rafael as accompaniment.

Ralph is survived by his wife Ann; children, Loretta Williams and Randolph Porras; grandsons Jason Wilson and Scott Porras; great granddaughter Dominique Wilson; and his wonderful extended family by marriage Tamar Porras, Cynthia Wilson and Ian Williams.

• Posted by webmaster
• 03:11PM, 07/19/10