Dr. Sami Raphael, 80, of Youngstown, NY, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at Roswell Park Cancer Center in Buffalo, NY, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Dr. Raphael was the son of the late Abdelsaid and Aziza (Bougdady) Raphael.
Dr. Raphael was raised in Egypt, where he attended local schools and earned his Doctorate in Medicine. In 1974, he moved to Canada, and later immigrated to the United States.
On January 8, 1983, he married the love of his life, Souzy (Gadelrab) Raphael, in Brooklyn, NY. Together, they settled in Youngstown in 1995, where they raised their three beloved children, Anne, Peter-Mark and Julie. A devoted husband and father, Dr. Raphael’s greatest joy was his family.
Dr. Raphael was a respected physician in the community, known for his warmth, and commitment to patient care. He operated his own practice on Pine Avenue in Niagara Falls for many years, and most recently served as a primary care physician with Mount St. Mary’s Primary Care.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Raphael enjoyed birdwatching, photography, and classical music. He was also a devoted member of Saint Mary & Saint Moses Coptic Orthodox Church in North Tonawanda, NY.
In addition to his wife of 42 years, Dr. Raphael is survived by his children, Anne (Joseph) Rychlik, Peter-Mark Raphael and Julie (Fawzy) Ashak; his grandchildren, Avery Rychlik, Luke Rychlik, Christpher Ashak, Johnathan Ashak and David Ashak; his siblings, Yvonne Naus and Samir Raphael; his sisters-in-law, Geihan (Fr. Maximos) Rizkalla and Iman (late Emad) Gadelrab; his mother-in-law, Victoria Hennes and his father-in-law, Shawky Gadelrab, as well as many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Along with his parents, Dr. Raphael was predeceased by two siblings, Angel Behsay and Said Raphael.
The family will receive condolences on Wednesday, August 13 from 7 – 9 PM at Saint Mary & Saint Moses Coptic Orthodox Church, 350 Wheatfield Street North Tonawanda, NY 14120, where funeral prayers will begin on Thursday, August 14 at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow in Niagara Falls Memorial Park Cemetery, Lewiston, NY. Memorial offerings in Dr. Raphael’s name may be made to Saint Mary & Saint Moses Coptic Orthodox Church. Arrangements by M.J. Colucci & Son Niagara Funeral Chapel. Visit mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online condolences.
SERVICES
Visitation
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Saint Mary & Saint Moses Coptic Orthodox Church
350 Wheatfield Street
North Tonawanda, NY 14120
Get Directions on Google Maps
Funeral
Thursday, August 14, 2025
11:00 AM
Saint Mary & Saint Moses Coptic Orthodox Church
350 Wheatfield Street
North Tonawanda, NY 14120
Get Directions on Google Maps