Dr. Rafi Tofig

Rafi Tofig, a well-known physician in the New Haven-area, died early on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at Whitney Center in Hamden, where he had been living for the past 16 years. He was 92. Dr. Tofig was born on August 15, 1923 in Tabriz, Iran. He grew up in the Iranian capital of Tehran, where he attended the University of Tehran. He attended medical school at the University of Geneva in Switzerland and then moved to New York City to complete his residency. It was there that he met Brenda Klein, a nursing student whom he would marry in 1958. The couple settled in Connecticut where they established the two things that would define Dr. Tofig's life-his family and his medical practice. Dr. Tofig built a private medical practice in the Fair Haven section of New Haven. He earned a reputation as an excellent physician, who provided personal, compassionate service to his patients, including house calls and frequent visits to hospitals and nursing homes. Dr. Tofig relocated his practice to East Haven, where it continued to thrive until he retired in 1999. While he had many professional accomplishments, Dr. Tofig's greatest source of pride was his family. Dr. and Mrs. Tofig built their home in North Haven. They enjoyed and took pride in their home, which was frequently opened to friends, relatives, and others, including Iranian families they met through the medical community. In his 50s, Dr. Tofig took up bicycling and enjoyed going on long rides by himself and with others. He completed the five-borough bike ride in New York City several times. Dr. Tofig was preceded in death by his wife, who died in 1999 after 40 years of marriage; his sister, Shokat Tofigh; and his son-in-law, Arthur Battista, who he loved like a son. He is survived by his brother, Firouz Tofigh, and his sister, Zinat Tofigh, who live in Iran; two daughters, Miriam Battista, of North Haven, and Leila (Steven) Mustakos, of Guilford; and two sons, Alan (Carrie) Tofig, of Newtown, Pa., and Dana (Cindy) Tofig, of Rockville, Md. He is also survived by eight grandchildren who were the light of his life-Sarah Battista; Gabrielle and Elizabeth Tofig; Thomas, Steven and Benjamin Mustakos; and William and Daniel Tofig. Burial will be private. A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, January 17, 2016, at 1 p.m., at Whitney Center, 200 Leeder Hill Road, in Hamden. BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Ave, Hamden, is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, Dr. Tofig's family asks that you donate to the charity of your choice in his honor. Dr. Tofig's family wishes to thank the many people who have been a part of our father's life and care, especially the amazing staff at Whitney Center who became like family to him over the past 16 years.