Beloved Restaurateur, Retired Enfield Police Officer Joe Ravalese Dies

ENFIELD, CT — Joe Ravalese, who served two area police departments for more than 25 years before embarking on a second career as a successful restaurateur, died Saturday following a long illness. He was 69.

Ravalese grew up in Windsor and became a police officer there following his school days. He officially began working for the Enfield Police Department on Jan. 17, 1983, and served as an officer until retiring on Aug. 4, 2000.

"Joe was assigned to me as his training officer," retired police chief Carl Sferrazza said. "He was one of the most personable people you'd ever meet."

Ravalese's personality was such that it prompted him to go into the restaurant business while still an active policeman, and on Jan. 8, 1996, he and fellow officer Jim Chamberland opened the Country Diner on Hazard Ave.

Famous not only for its outstanding food, the diner's owners quickly became known for their generosity toward charities. Among the dozens of organizations receiving help were the Hole in the Wall Gang, the Felician Sisters, and the Network Against Domestic Abuse.

The Silver Shield Foundation was the beneficiary of the sale of 9/11 commemorative pins, designed by Enfield police officer Bill Zaczynski and sold at the diner. Proceeds went to the foundation's fund to pay the college expenses of every child of the estimated 400 firefighters, police and EMTs who were killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America.

From helping organize non-profit events to donating literally hundreds of gift cards to various groups for their fundraisers, Ravalese became known as one of the most generous businessmen in the area.

"He was a guy that would give you the shirt off his back," Chamberland said. "He treated people like people, and had a heart of gold."

Though he did good deeds due to his love of people rather than personal recognition, Ravalese was honored with numerous awards over the years. In 2008, he was honored with a Humanitarian Award at a surprise banquet by the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Women's Auxiliary, and in 2014, his work with the Enfield Transitional Learning Academy, coupled with his practice of hiring people with developmental disabilities, earned him the Distinguished Friend of Education Award from the Connecticut Association of Schools.

Since his passing, hundreds of people have left memories of Ravalese on social media, including on the diner's Facebook page. Among them are:

• "One minute with Joe and you knew you were in the presence of a kind and generous man. His call to duty was appreciated by so many throughout LE. He cared for and watched over LE officers from all over CT … and beyond!" - Marc Bassos
• "Loving, caring,man who did so much for the community and its people. They just don’t make many like him nowadays. God Bless you Joe. Time to finally take a break from helping everyone." - Jim Shewokis
• "When he retired from a successful career as a police officer in Enfield, he never stopped giving to others. The Country Diner in Enfield was Joe's way to earn the funds that he always gave to others. From food banks to the needy, Joe never questioned your needs. If you needed, he was only too happy to provide." - Joel Kent

Ravalese is survived his wife Kathryn, a son, two step-daughters, two grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and a brother.

Calling hours are slated for Monday, Dec. 5 from 4-8 p.m. at the Lodge Community Chapel, 130 Deerfield Ave. in Windsor. Funeral services will be conducted there beginning at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 6.

Ravalese's full obituary from Carmon Community Funeral Homes may be viewed here.