Rafael Camacho of Mount Welcome Recovery, Christiansted was a local and distinguished business professional.
He established Tropical Fencing and Landscaping serving St. Croix for approximately forty years.
Rafael was born in 1946 on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico to Emilia Gonzalez and Rufino Camacho. They relocated to St. Croix with Rafael at the tender age of 8 years old. He was taken in by the Henderson family who helped educate and raise him. He attended our local public schools, graduating from St. Croix Central High School. Upon graduation he moved to the mainland to pursue an Engineering profession, thereafter employed by General Motors. Rafael was drafted into the US Army during the conflict in Vietnam.
He proudly and honorably served his country participating in parachute recovery of his fellowmen keeping courage and high standards for the United States of America. Rafael received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Armed Forces on the 1st of March of 1973. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He then returned to his position of employment with General Motors where he was employed for several years. He relocated to St. Croix, a community that he loved so much and worked at HESS, the Department of Corrections, and then became a Police Officer. He left the Police Department and established his local business becoming a Crucian Entrepreneur.
Rafael was highly loved and respected by everyone. Wherever he went he was greeted with big smiles, hugs and firm handshakes. He retired from his company allowing his adopted daughter Cassandra Maynard to take over the business and continue pursuing the career in fencing/landscaping. With a heavy heart we saw Rafael depart from us to the House of the Lord, surrounded by family and friends at his home on the evening of Wednesday, March 5th 2025. At said time he had just returned from appointments at the VA Hospital in San Juan, PR. He is survived by his adopted children DPNR Officer Charles Maynard and Cassandra Maynard, his brothers Edilberto Camacho, Dolores Camacho, Carmelino Camacho and sisters Nilda Esther Camacho and Ana Celia Camacho. He had many relatives, too numerous to mention. He had many dear friends to include Mirta L. Martinez, who took care of him during his final days, Carmen Dennis, Pastors Orlando and Annie Ramirez, Ana Guzman Roldan, Ellen, Peggy and many others. He will be dearly missed.
Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 19 at Hermanos Unidos En Cristo “El Tabernáculo.” The viewing will begin at 9 am with service at 10 am. Interment will follow at Kingshill Cemetery.
Professional services are entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.
