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John Safka Obituary
John SAFKA Died Saturday, March 14, 2009 in Ellensburg, Washington at the too young age of 42. Born May 17, 1966 in Oak Park, Illinois. Loving father of Nicholas, Nathaniel and Annabel. Also survived by their mother, Danielle; his parents, Wayne and Deanna; his siblings, Jim (Mandy) and Sara Whitney (Steve); his grandfather, James Safka, and a large extended family. John is in a good place today, sitting on a comfy lounge chair in Heaven, rooting for all his family and friends, especially his kids, the Stars of his life. One day, he will be reunited with his family in Heaven, and the whole family will be together again forever. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, March 19th, at 10 AM at St. Bridget Catholic Church, 4900 NE 50th St., Seattle 98105. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, donations should be sent to The Safka Children Education Trust c/o Patrick Moran at Peterson Russell Kelly, PLLC. 1850 Skyline Tower, 10900 NE Fourth Street, Bellevue, WA 98004-8341. Phone number is (425) 462-4700. Please sign the online guestbook at www.legacy.com Hoffner Fisher & HarveyTo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Safka
Ty, Jackie & Shae
May 5, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Linda Hickey
April 26, 2009
To the entire Safka Family - I just learned of John's passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to you. I met John last summer while I was working in Seattle. He was a wonderful man and spoke constantly, and lovingly, of his children. May you find strength in the love and support of family and friends, and comfort in your memories.
God Bless you all.
Patsy Brown
April 18, 2009
A month has passed since John left us. I think of him often which reminds me on a daily basis to keep his family in my prayers.
ANDRES CONCHA-FERNANDEZ
April 18, 2009
MIS MAS SINCERAS CONDOLENCIAS DESDE PERU
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Shelby Brown
April 7, 2009
Dear Safka Family,
We are so sorry for your loss! I remember when i was young and growing up with the Safka's! John always made me laugh and was so nice. I also remember that he was so cute so of course i wanted to go and play at Sarah's house not mine:) A big brother that I wished I had. HeHe
Our prayers and thoughts are you with and his family!
Shelby Brown and Family
Don and Angie Brooker
April 5, 2009
Dear Safka Family - I am sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Karen Malec
April 2, 2009
Dear Safka Family,
I am so very sorry to learn of your loss. I worked with John at KeyBank and will always remember his work ethic, his great sense of humor, and his big smile. We are all lucky to have known him, and he surely will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
March 30, 2009
Dear Safka Family,
You are all in my heart and prayers! I was your neighbor (John and Danielle) on 46th AVE NE when Nick and Nate were little and Anabel was a newborn. I saw John just a couple of weeks prior to his accident. We saw each other at the Metropolitan Market and he told me with excitement and smiles about each of the children, whom I have not seen for several years. I was so saddened to hear later about his untimely death. May God bless each of you and give you comfort.
-Marsha Crivello, Seattle,Washington
Don Watson
March 30, 2009
Dear Safka family,
I am sorry to hear of John's passing. My prayers are with all of you. Growing up as a friend of Jim's, John was always a great guy. He was always so friendly and genuine whenever I bumped into him later. He was a good man.
Cristina Kapela Dugoni
March 28, 2009
Dear Safka Family,
I was shocked and saddened to learn of John's passing. I unfortunately did not get Clint's email until the day of the funeral. I'm so sorry I missed the celebration of his life. I have so many fond memories of John from our high school and college days. He always had such a big smile on his face and ideas for such mischievous adventures. I last saw him at a CYO track meet at Woodland Park Zoo a few years ago. He was so proud of his children and of his brother, Jim (as you may remember- Jim was good friends with my brother Rob Kapela while at Overlake). While I know he is in a wonderful place, I know the loss you all feel is immeasurable. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Cristina Kapela Dugoni
March 26, 2009
Dear Safka family
We are so very sorry for your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you.
The McLachlan family(Seattle Select)
March 26, 2009
Dear Safka family
I am very sorry to learn of Johns death. i was his Pastor for many years and I know his deep faith is rewarded R.I.P Fr. Quigg
Jerry Meadors
March 24, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with the family
and close friends of John Safka. As a friend of Jim's I was so deeply sorry to here of this sad event.
Jessica
March 24, 2009
Dear Safka Family,
I am so so sorry that the beauty of Lake Cle Elum took your loved one right out of your arms. Today I drove up to Salmon La Sac and I thought of John ( I didn't know him) and the young family he left behind. He is all around you, and I know you will all let his spirit live. I will set some flowers out on the lake in John's memory this spring when it thaws alittle more. God bless you and all your loved ones.
Brian Sismour
March 24, 2009
To the Safka family :
My heart is and has been very heavy for the past few days.I worked with John at Key Bank. We spent much time together in Cleveland and Seattle. We spoke constantly of the love that we shared , being with and coaching our kids. It was his passion and he was a passionate man.I will pray for John but mostly, for his kids. God rest his soul.
Gary Cully
March 23, 2009
I came to know John through working with him briefly. John consciously connected with people and was open and available at a deep level. I will miss his presence.
Tom Stickney
March 20, 2009
John was a good guy with a big, big laugh, he was, years ago when I knew him, a very positive, fun and interesting guy. He was one that lived on the bright side of life. It was a heaviness that accompanied my seeing his passing, I cannot begin to even hope for an easy transition for his loved ones, his personna will not fade easily for even those who knew him long ago.
Jeff and Lynette Damir
March 20, 2009
To the entire Safka Family,
We are so sorry for your great loss. John was a wonderful friend to so many and a great father to his children. His love for his family and friends was palpable, but especially so for his children. He was so proud of each of them. He was a wonderful example of a strong yet gentle man, a good, loyal friend and loving father. I know our lives are better having known John. It was an honor to know him and he will be missed very much. His wonderful grin, his smiling eyes and easy laugh will be in our memories forever. His love is always with you, always and forever.
Christine and Chuck Rogers
March 20, 2009
Danielle and family, May you all find peace and comfort in your memories of what a great man and dad John was. Our hearts are with you at this time of loss.
Cindy Bouldin
March 20, 2009
Safka Family: If words alone could help ease your pain, I would write forever. Instead I will just say how sorry we are that John is gone. My son, Mitchell, was fortunate enough to have John as a baseball coach for a number of seasons. That means the rest of our family was also graced with his humor, spirit of fun, generosity, and knowledge. We will miss John, and our hearts go out to Nick and his siblings. We will think of John with a smile when we step on a baseball field, knowing he is watching and sending his encouragement always. Bless you all.
Ted & Carol Kibble
March 19, 2009
We were shocked and saddened to hear of John's passing. Carol said "my heart aches for Deanna, Wayne and the whole family."
We both remember the first time we saw John other than as a child coming to the office with Wayne. We came to your Medina home to go out for dinner and were greeted and entertained by John while Deanna and Wayne were getting ready to go out. He was so engaging. friendly and hospitable that we talked about his maturity and charm for some days afterward.
John and I have talked by phone about his business and business dealings several times over the past years. I will miss him.
You all are in our prayers.
Chuck Knox
March 19, 2009
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Safka Family, Danielle and the children in this time of grief. John was a good friend and teammate who will be missed in body but not in sprit. God Bless.
Robert Maañao
March 19, 2009
I am truly sorry for your family's loss. John was a great teammate and a good man. I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Dean Scumaci
March 19, 2009
Danielle & family, I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless.
Thelma Strand
March 19, 2009
We are so sorry about John. David, our son, thought so much of him and included him as one of his close friends. I know how sad that circle of young men feel now (Jimmy Martin, Eric Broderson, our David and probably others). Please know that we are praying for you and for your whole family as you make your way through this tragedy. May you feel God's love and comfort each day.
Ellyn Belfiore(Major)
March 19, 2009
Safka Family,
We are so sorry for your loss of a wonderful man, father, friend, brother and son....I've personally met John a few times, and my father worked with John's Dad . Growing up I remember going into the office to see my Dad's colleagues, Wayne was so proud of his kids and and can only imagine the heartache Mr. and Mrs. Safka ( as I was told to call them)
are feeling. My husband knew John thru all his fraternity buddies from Bellevue and was saddened as well. Our prayers are with you all.
The Belfiore Family
Vic, Ellyn (Major), Jack and Joe
Sherri
March 19, 2009
Safka Family~I was in the Ellensburg Emergency Room with my daughter when Mr. Safka was brought in. Of course all care was kept very quiet and confidential but you could tell from the mood what the outcome had been. I never knew Mr. Safka and will probably never meet any of his family or friends but from the moment I realized what had happened you all, family and friends, have been in my thoughts and prayers. I have thought about you daily since that time. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. May you forever hold his memory in your hearts.
Paul Cole
March 19, 2009
Please accept my deeply heartfelt words of sympathy in remembrance of John. Talking about his kids always-always made him smile and animated. He had an extremely talented mind and showed me how to look at things in a different way. John, God bless you.
Shawn Fitzpatrick
March 19, 2009
Safka Family: I am so sorry for your loss. I remember John, Jim and Sara fondly in our close neighborhood back in those good old days. My prayers are with you all, God grant you peace.
Maria Enget
March 19, 2009
Safka Family~
We are so sorry for your loss. Words can not convey our sadness for you and all your loved ones. May you find comfort in knowing that sadness will past and loving memories will live on forever. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Maria and Dwight Enget
March 18, 2009
I am overwhelmed with emotion and grief that John has passed, yet also completely comforted that John is happy in a far better place than this temporal, earthly world, and with the Lord. John will truly be missed by so many people, but we are all blessed and fortunate to have known him and have had our friendship and experiences and times with him. He is a great guy, and his family and friends will see him again, without a doubt. It is comforting to me to know that Saffy was with his closest buddies and happy prior to his untimely passing. I cannot say enough good or kind things about John Safka. He is a class act, a gentleman, and this world is noticeably worse off without his presence here, without question.
Chris Hart
March 18, 2009
I am overwhelmed with emotion and grief that John has passed, yet also completely comforted that John is happy in a far better place than this temporal, earthly world, and with the Lord. John will truly be missed by so many people, but we are all blessed and fortunate to have known him and have had our friendship and experiences and times with him. He is a great guy, and his family and friends will see him again, without a doubt. It is comforting to me to know that Saffy was with his closest buddies and happy prior to his untimely passing. I cannot say enough good or kind things about John Safka. He is a class act, a gentleman, and this world is noticeably worse off without his presence here, without question.
March 18, 2009
Deanna, I am sososo sorry! I want to see /talk to you! Much love to you from so many of us in Magnolia, Kathy Heinrich
Dan Lester
March 18, 2009
John was my locker partner our freshman year at Blanchet High School and we played football together there. I remember a lot of fun times with John at Blanchet. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends; especially his 3 children. May you rest in peace John, and God Bless You Always!
Kevin Johnson
March 18, 2009
Wayne and D,
I am so sorry about John. He was a great guy. I feel so terrible for you and the kids. You are in my prayers.
Clint Olson
March 18, 2009
John was a great teammate, the Yankees will miss him. My thoughts are with his family.
Tara Smith
March 18, 2009
Smiling through tears thinking of John. My memories are of his kindness. I felt out of place "back in the day" when we would all meet up, but when he walked in he would make it a point either sit next to me or stand with me for a while, ask what was up, joke around, trying to help me fit in. He is one of the few people I have ever known that always made that effort and he seemed to know who needed the kindness. What a gift.
I have always and will remain grateful.
March 18, 2009
Wayne and D,
I am terribly sorry for your loss.
John B. Frazier
Jennifer Brzusek-Hildebrand
March 18, 2009
Safka Family-
I am sorry to hear about the loss of John. I remember coming over to your house as a child and remember his laugh with fond memories. You are all in my thoughts and prayers - especially Sara.
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