Charles Raffa

Charles "Charlie" Raffa was an Italian emigrant to New York City who became a successful businessman. He was the father of Matilda Cuomo, and the maternal grandfather of Andrew Cuomo.

Early life

Raffa was born in the United States circa 1904, returned to Italy with his family, and returned to the United States from Messina, Italy in 1927.

Career

He worked as a laborer when he first immigrated from Italy.
Later, he founded his own business Ideal Fixture Company, which became highly successful building supermarket shelves and refrigeration units. According to Lori Zabar, he was "known for providing... affordable payment terms." Zabar reports that he recommended to Louis Zabar, the original location for his eponymous grocery store Zabar's.
He used the proceeds from this company to invest in real estate, buying up dozens of residential and commercial properties in New York.

Personal life

He was married to Mary Gitto, and had five children, Frank, Matilda, Sam, Joseph and Nancy. He maintained homes in East Flatbush, New York and New Jersey.

Death

In 1984, Raffa was assaulted in an abandoned grocery store he owned. He was badly beaten and later received plastic surgery. Despite medical intervention, he never fully recovered and used a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. He succumbed to his illness at the Jewish Center for Geriatric Care in Long Island in 1988. Following his death, his descendants feuded over who should receive shares of his estate, valued at between $5 million and $13 million.