Jean Philip Rava

Jean Philip Rava
Sep. 16, 1936 ~ Jun. 30, 2026

Mr. Jean Philip “Red” Rava, 89, passed away on June 30, 2026, in Portland, Maine, following a lengthy illness. By his side was Lorraine M. (Donnelly) Rava, with whom he shared 40 years of marriage.

Jean was born September 16, 1936, in Millvale, Pennsylvania, son of the late Jean and Leona (Rolling) Rava. He was a graduate of St. Anne’s School in Millvale, PA and North Catholic High School in Northside, PA. He and Lorraine resided in Malden, Massachusetts for more than 40 years.

Jean was industrious. As a teenager, he worked at a meat market in his hometown before later joining New Brunswick International, a company that supplied equipment to supermarkets. He rose up to become National Sales Manager for NBI, and remained friends with his clients well after retirement.

Jean was his happiest at the summer camp he shared with Lorraine on Little Sebago Lake. You would see him outside with a big grin, shouting, “It’s a glorious day!” He loved chopping wood for a fire, tending his garden and exchanging stories with his countless “camp friends.”

One day, he and his son Christian proudly showed up at the camp with a new boat, which he named on the spot: “the Quick Decision.” He loved taking Lorraine and her friends out on the boat when Lorraine hosted her famous “girls weekends” for more than 25 years. With his big personality, he was a friend to everyone, from Lorraine’s large family to whomever happened to be sitting in the next booth at a restaurant. Jean’s face would light up when he got a visit or a phone call from his children, granddaughter, family friend Barbara Turner, sister-in-law Ann Cobb, or his longtime best friend, Roy Bayless. He always looked forward to his 11 a.m. Saturday phone call from his brother, Dale, and wife, Liz, and enjoyed watching Neil Diamond, Leonard Cohen and Johnny Cash DVDs with his nephew, Patrick. Family meant everything to him.

There was a lot more to Jean beyond his gregarious demeanor. He wasn’t afraid to speak up, saying the things we all want to say. And he was full of common-sense wisdom, which he imparted to his kids and nephews. Even Alzheimer’s disease couldn’t rob Jean of his singular personality and wit.

Jean is predeceased by his parents, his sister, Ingrid Rava, of Safety Harbor, FL and his son-in-law Timothy Cummings. In addition to his loving wife Lorraine, Jean is survived by his children, Cynthia Cummings of Peabody, MA, Karen Bartholomew and her husband Christopher of Howell, MI, and Christian Rava of Clearwater, FL; granddaughter, Jaclyn Sharib, of Peabody, MA; sister, Audrey Wood of Shaler Township, PA; brother Dale Rava and his wife Elizabeth of Ross Township, PA, as well as many nieces, nephews, Roy Bayless, and his wife Irene.

On Lorraine’s side of the family, he is predeceased by his brothers-in-law, John Cobb and Robert Donnelly. He is survived by his sisters and brothers-in-law, Ann (John), Kathleen (Dick), Jane (Jimmy), Francine (Bill), Peggy (Chet) and Dianne (John.)

Jean’s visitation will be held from 10am – 11am on Monday, July 13, 2026, at the Conroy-Tully Walker Cremation, Funeral, and Gather Center, 300 Allen Avenue, Portland; at 11am, a prayer and Memorial Service will begin. Immediately following the services, the family will have a luncheon and a time to share memories at the Funeral Home. All are welcome to be with the family. Burial will be in Christ Our Redeemer Northside Catholic Cemetery, Cemetery Lane, Pittsburgh, PA, at a later date.

Please consider donating in memory of Jean Philip Rava to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001