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BORN
1936
DIED
2015
FUNERAL HOME
Joseph Jarfas Obituary
He completed electronics training at RCA Institute and went to work for IBM, the company he retired from after 30 years of service. He married his wife of 47 years Judith Stauffer Jarfas in 1968.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children: Josephine Jarfas Smidt, J. Jeffrey Jarfas, and Jenine Jarfas Cleary (Joseph), and grandchildren: Avery Smidt, Esther Smidt, Daniel Cleary and Meghan Cleary. He was the oldest of six brothers and sisters who survive him in Hungary including: Marika, Klara, Janos, Anna, Laszlo, and his many nieces and nephews.
Joe was an avid genealogist and records historian. He used his knowledge of German, English and Hungarian to provide document translation for other researchers. He had many friends across the globe through his internet research.
He was capable of fixing just about anything and would rather order parts than buy something new. He had a great sense of humor and always enjoyed the chance to laugh.
The family will receive friends at Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home 34 Upper Main St. Callicoon, NY on Wednesday from 5-8 pm. A funeral mass will be held at Holy Cross Church in Callicoon on Thursday, August 20 at 11 am.
In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions can be made to the North Country Mission of Hope, PO Box 2522, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 in memory of Joseph Jarfas to provide help and care to Nicaraguans. More information can be obtained from their website www.ncmissionofhope.org.
The family knows that Joe has touched lives of so many people near and far. It would be difficult to gather together all of the people who he has touched. Please tell a joke or say a prayer in his honor.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Jarfas
Sponsored by Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home Inc.
Dr. Kutlán Edina
August 13, 2024
We remember him fondly. His wise advice about dogs is often mentioned. Marika and Edina from Hungary
Neil Spacinsky
August 12, 2020
Joe, our dear friend. Very fond memories of our meeting in Budapest Hungary with your son on the Chain Bridge and the wonderful dinner that followed. Your kind open heart and loving generosity will be remembered by Beth and I for quite some time. You are surely missed by many, may you rest in peace.
Neil and Beth SpacinskyWindsor, Ontario, Canada
December 1, 2015
December 1, 2015
December 1, 2015
September 16, 2015
May he rest in peace, he helped us so many when we researched our family tree. :(
So sad...
Maria Sperling from Budapest, Hungary
George DeLorenzo
September 16, 2015
rest in peace Joe, We had a few laughs working together at IBM.
August 31, 2015
Drága Járfás Jóska!
....... sajnos már Te is elmentél !
Keresem a szavakat,.......de nehéz most leírni azt amit érzek.
Érzem a csendet, a szomorúságot...és a hiányodat.
Még látom a mosolyodat,...és hallom a hangodat is.
Bár tlem nagyon messze éltél, ..........mégis több voltál, mint egy kutatótárs..., Te voltál az én mentorom és a segítm is......
Éveken át csak segítettél és a kutatásaimhoz fordítottál.
Én is - mint mindenki más - nagyon sokat köszönhetek Neked!
A barátom voltál és a barátságod nagyon sokat jelentett nekem!
Kedveltelek és tiszteltelek!
Kedveltem a humorodat,...a szeretetedet és tiszteltem a tudásodat, a segítkészségedet és az emberségedet!
Te voltál nekem a "Nagytesó!", levelezéseink során gyakran "kishúgom"-nak is neveztél.
Sokszor beszélgettünk és leveleztünk a kutatásról, a családról, az unokákról, a tennivalókról......és minden másról is.
Jó tanácsokkal láttál el,.... kedves, türelmes és figyelmes voltál.
Év végi beszámolóidat mindig nagyon vártam és örömmel olvastam.
Téged Mindenki szeretett és tisztelt itthon és a külföldi levelez listákon egyaránt.
Te voltál " A JÁRFÁS JÓSKA", csupa nagybetvel!
Szerencsére személyesen is ismerhettelek, hiszen a legutóbbi hazalátogatásod során Budapesten találkoztunk.
A Tled kapott régi 1 dollárost azóta is rzöm.
Tudtam a betegségedrl,....a kezeléseidet, a küzdelmeidet végig izgultam...., bár sokat szenvedtél,- de a jó humorodat mindvégig megrizve- bizakodó is voltál...
........és annyira reménykedtünk, hogy van még idd!
Tudom, már nagyon elfáradtál és most megpihentél!
Nagyon hiányzol ..., megsiratlak...és soha nem feledlek!
Drága "Nagytesó"! Mindenki Járfás Jóskája nyugodj békében!
Emléked szívemben örökké él!
Búcsúzom.....az angyalok vigyázzanak Rád!
szinte részvétem a családnak!
Khegyi Anikó Budapest Hungary :((((
August 28, 2015
My heartfelt thoughts and prayers from the Hungary List and a very dedicated genealogist. I spoke to Josepj just a few weeks before his death. May he rest in peace. Margaret Paull, Metuchen, New Jersey
7 Redfield Village Bldg, B Apt. 1 Metuchen, NJ 08840
Nic Szász
August 25, 2015
It all started in 2004, when Joe started assisting me in genealogy like an older brother.
The results: found my half-sister in Hungary, cousins in Hungary, Australia and the USA, plus went back some 200 years in my family records.
Joe,
thanks a lot, RIP and we shall meet sometime in the future.
Nic Szasz
from Brazil
J. Wander
August 24, 2015
Great guy and family man
August 24, 2015
Dear Jarfas Family,
My deepest condolence on your loss. God be with you all on this grievous time. -
Robert Hoffer- Vecsés Hungary
Ibolya Vogronics
August 24, 2015
Drága Jóska,
Nyugodj békében!
Tony Szachury
August 23, 2015
Condolences to the Jarfas family. Only knew Joe via our keyboard but am truly sorry I didn't meet him in person. His knowledge,and always willing to help attitude,something that is sorely missed in todays world.
Boglárka Lázár
August 23, 2015
Dear Járfás Family,
I am also one of the many genealogical internet acquaintances who were lucky enough to exchange some data with Jóska. He was such a nice, kind, bright, helpful, and cheerful person.
I did not know that he worked for IBM. My stepfather did, too. He is 6 years older then Jóska and worked for IBM in his whole life. Maybe they knew each other. Too late to ask. :-(
My sincerest condolences to you.
August 23, 2015
R.I.P.
Maria Ribeiro Hamory
August 23, 2015
Dear Jarfas Family,
My deepest condolence on your loss. God be with you all on this grievous time. I will miss Joe, and his fast responding helping email.
Schirwath Ágnes
August 23, 2015
Hiányozni fogsz Józska nekünk is úgy mint családodnak, barátaidnak. Nyugodj békében.
Részvétem a hozzátartozóknak!
Ferencné Szabó
August 23, 2015
Kedves Jóska!
Sajnálom,hogy sosem találkoztunk!Minden segítséget köszönök Neked!
Legyen könny a föld számodra!
Husi
Jim and Nancy Skojec
August 23, 2015
Dear Jenine,Joe,and the entire Jarfas family,our sincerest condolences on your loss.
Páli István
August 23, 2015
Csend és béke kísérje emlékezéseinket.
Krisztián Skoumal
August 23, 2015
Kedves Jóska, pótolhatatlan rt hagysz magad után. Nem csak családod, hanem a MACSE családfakutató közössége körében is.
Nyugodj békében...
Dear Járfás Family, my deepest condolences to the whole family. Joe had been a great man and I will keep him in my memories forever.
Rest In Peace!
Vic and LIndaa HOgan
August 23, 2015
Thank you Joe for being there for us. We will forever appreciate the chance we had to know you. Our condolences to your family. You will be missed.
August 23, 2015
Joe was so helpful to me always in my Hungarian research. We never met except online but
I will miss his generosity. My condolences to his family...where he will be missed the most..Marie
Nicole Glonek
August 20, 2015
Dearest Jeff and the rest of the Jarfas Family, My deepest sympathies on your loss. Joe lent a kind ear many years ago and I never forgot him for it. Jeff - I am so sorry for the loss of your father, I remember how fondly you used to speak of him. You will all always remain in my mind and prayers, never to be forgotten. Old friends never truly leave our lives because of the mark they leave on our hearts.
Yvette Hayes
August 19, 2015
Josephine, my deepest sympathies on the loss of your father. May fond memories confort you and your family always.
Daniel Cleary
August 18, 2015
Fond memories of Joe Jarvis. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Dan and Donna Cleary
August 18, 2015
Dear Jarfas Family,
My deepest condolences to the family. I will keep you in my prayers asking God to lessen your pain for loss of your husband and father.
I have a very found memory of Joe for the time we spent together in Forestburgh on the monthly get together for the Hungarian Mess. He will be greatly missed.
Fondly,
Barbara Vajda
Christina Aue
August 18, 2015
Joe was a very good friend. He had helped me as a searcher of the danubien swabe ancestors. Rest in peace my friend. Thank you for memory of knowing. Your searcher friend from Germany Christina Aue
Thomas Steichen
August 18, 2015
Dear Family of Joe,
I am one of the many genealogical internet correspondents that Joe blessed with his knowledge and humor... and I am so sad to hear of his passing. I edit the Burgenland Bunch newsletter, and Joe's comments frequently graced its pages. I smile now, though sadly, thinking about how often his messages arrived in my inbox at 3 am! He had a quick wit and a sharp mind and I will truly miss him and our conversations. For both you and I, I hope that the pain of his passing is soon overtaken by the good memories.
August 18, 2015
Rest in peace my friend. Thank you for the memory of knowing you and of you being such a good friend to Beth. You are fondly remembered. Neil Spacinsky
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