Raphael Henry Francois Taranto's Obituary
Raphaël Henry François Taranto, musician, songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist and beloved husband of Michelle Taranto, passed away peacefully on Tuesday afternoon, January 24, 2023 at a hospital in the Macon, Georgia area. He was 55 years old.
Raphaël, affectionately and commonly known as "Raff" was born on April 27, 1967 in Mulhouse, France, to the late Sauveur Jean Henry Taranto and his mother, Marie-Louise Froger Taranto. He was a college graduate.
Raphaël is survived by his beloved wife, Michelle Taranto, his beloved mother, Marie-Louise Froger Taranto, his younger brother Gregory Taranto, his brother-in-law, Kevin Horne, his sister-in-law, Jo Lee Horne, his niece, Bethany Horne, his nephews Brad Horne and Jeremy Horne, great nieces Kyndall Horne and Natalie Horne, great nephew Dawson Horne, Parents-In-Law Daniel and Sandie Wade, and many uncles, aunts & cousins to include Clara Taranto and their children Yves, Alain, Karine Portenseigne, Julio Taranto and their children Valérie, Frank and Jennifer Taranto, René and Geneviève Taranto and their children Pascal, Laurence and Audrey Taranto, François Froger and their children Bérengère and Richard, Daniel Froger and their children Sylvie, Frédérique and Philippe, Edouard and Lise Froger, Pierre and Marion Froger and their children Edouard and Juliette and finally André and Ginette Taranto and their children Yann Taranto, Muriel and Nathalie Josset.
Raff is predeceased by his father, Sauveur Jean Henry Taranto, his aunt Monika Taranto, his uncle Joseph Portenseigne (married to Clara Taranto), his aunt Pierrette Froger (married to François Froger), his aunt Christiane Froger (married to Daniel Froger), and his grandparents Olga Pandolfo, Raphaël Taranto, Josephine Restle and François Froger.
Although he was born in France, as a child he loved America and always wanted to live in California. After completing his studies, he moved to England for a few years in order to perfect his English, to be in the Entertainment atmosphere, and to create his band. Later, he moved to California and fulfilled many of his childhood dreams there. Eventually, to live permanently in America, he opened the RNR Touring Ranch business in Lake Los Angeles, California through his lodge, and encouraged Europeans to visit and vacation in both California and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Raff lived most of his adult life in the public eye and had many friends around the world. His passion was music, and he traveled the world entertaining audiences by singing, playing guitar and recording music with various bands such as his band, “Libertin Lips”, “The Blacklist Hero's” and “The Other Otherz”, to name only a few. He also managed recording sessions and organized tours for successful European rock and roll bands such as Undercover S. and Tracy Gang P. He was very passionate about his work and had many multipurpose roles to include technician, organizer and manager.
He met his forever love, Missy (Michelle) and they were married on Valentine’s Day in Las Vegas, Nevada. Unfortunately, cancer stole his beautiful dreams and beautiful projects, weakened his state of health, and damaged his morale. After years of deleterious treatments, and fighting his illness with help and support from his wife, he was cured of the evil that was eating away at him. Sadly, COVID-19 ultimately took him from us.
A Celebration of Life memorial service with close friends and family honoring Raphaël, aka “Raff” will be held in Warner Robins, Georgia. No formal service will be held. Two separate memorials will also be held in his beloved Antelope Valley, California, a place where he found peace, comfort and enjoyed life, and lastly in Aix-En-Provence, in the South of France.
In lieu of flowers to the family, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
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