Very Reverend Stephen Karaffa

Stephen Karaffa Obituary

Very Reverend K. Stephen Karaffa, 65, Pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, Burr Ridge, Ill., and formerly the Pastor of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church of Hanover Township section of Nanticoke, fell asleep in the Lord, November 11, 2008, following the Divine Liturgy at the Orthodox Church of America’s 15th All-American Council in Pittsburgh, Pa. His wife Matushka Galina (Gayle) nee Carvey survives him.
He was born April 1, 1943 in Bridgeport, Conn., a son of the late Stephen and Helen nee Demchak Karaffa. He was a graduate of the Orthodox Theological Seminary. He was a humble Servant of God and dedicated to the services and needs of the Church. His kindness and soulfulness healed many Christians. A Man of God who knew His Father.
Surviving are his beloved Wife Matushka Gayle, loving father of son, Kevin Karaffa and wife, Peggy; daughter, Matushka Laryssa, and husband, the Very Rev. Emilian Hutnyan; dear grandfather of Natalia, Zachary, Faith, Steffan and Sebastian.
Requiem services and burial will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Monastery Church and cemetery. Clergy, friends, parishioners are welcome and all the faithful to pray and support the family. The family will receive you from 9 a.m. until service time.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the following: SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, Burr Ridge, IL, or to the Scholarship Fund of St. Tikhon’s Theological Seminary, South Canaan, PA. Arrangements are entrusted to the Simon S. Russin Funeral, Plains.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Times Leader on Nov. 15, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Karaffa

10 Entries

Ann and Joe Lowther

December 5, 2008

Dear Fr. Karaffa's family,
We were saddened to learn of your loss. My husband and I were married by Fr. Stephen at St. Mark's in Wrightstown, PA in November of 1989. We will always remember his kindness and supporting words to the two of us as newlyweds. Our prayers are with you. May Fr. Stephen's memory be eternal.

Katrina Fuentes-Yamazaki

November 28, 2008

To Father Karaffa's family. I just learned of his passing. I was a student at Bourgade when Father Karaffa was teaching there. He was always so pleasant to be around. I remember when he came to our home and joined our family for dinner a couple of times. Oh how we all enjoyed the conversation and laughs. I will forever remember his laughter and smile. Rest in peace Father Karrafa.

Bette and Hugh Devine

November 19, 2008

To Gayle and Family,
We would like to express our condolences to you on your great loss. We have many fine memories of both of you and the children when you lived in Connecticut. Our thoughts and prayers go with you and your family.

Fr. Lawrence Farley

November 16, 2008

Dear Matushka and family:
Please accept my deepest sympathy in this time of sudden loss. Seeing Fr. Stephen at the Council and exchanging greetings with him was very precious to me, since I well remember the kindness he and you showed to me, Donna and our two girls when we were at St. Tikhon's together. You are much in my prayers and the prayers of our little mission.
all my love in the Lord,

Michael Yatsinko

November 15, 2008

Dear Gayle & Family:

Please accept our condolences during this trying time for you and your family.

I was deeply saddened by the passing of my good and long time friend. He was a good friend growing up together in school and working at the bank for many years. Our continued phone conversations were alot of fun and reminising was great. I will miss him dearly and there will be a deep void for me as I enjoyed our friendship. I am also very sorry I could not attend his funeral as I would have wanted to do. I will keep him in my prayers and I know he is at peace.

Roberta & Mike Yatsinko

Rev. Ned Lunich

November 15, 2008

Dear Matuska and Family,
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy on the death of your loved one. Fr. Stephen was a good friend. As a President of our OCCA in Chicago he was a wonderful and capable leader, always optimistic and enthusiastic. We enjoyed having him as our brother in Christ the Lord. Just ten days ago we met at the Sts Peter and Paul Church for our by-monthly meeting and had a pleasant time and a good meeting.
May his memory be eternal!
Vjacnaja Pamjat!

Pdcn. Gregory Moser

November 14, 2008

Dear Matushka Gayle and Family: We were very sorry to hear of Fr.'s passing and of your great loss. We will always remember Fr. Stephen as a very kind and caring man. Its been years, but we also remember fondly when visiting you at St. Mark's in Buckingham how you made our family feel at home and shared a dinner with us. You and Fr. have been a good example for your children. Kevin, to this day, continues to help us when Alkolyte short handed in the alter. May the love of our Lord, God and Savior comfort you all and may Fr. Stephen's memory be eternal!
Fr. Pdcn Gregory and Mat. Martha Moser (St. Mark's OCA, Wrightstown PA)

Nada Jensen

November 14, 2008

Dear Matushka Gayle and family,
Father Stephen was so dear to me and to all our parishioners. I will miss him terribly. He was so humble and approachable and had a sweet sense of humor, one of the people. May he rest with the saints. Memory Eternal!
Nada Jensen

The Foursome

Patricia Smith

November 14, 2008

Matudhka Gayle and Family, Father Stephen was a Joy to be around. He made everyone feel welcomed, especially Mike. Father Stephen welcomed this Southern Baptist with open Arms.

We are so very sorry for your loss. You are in our Hopes and Payer. And we miss Father Stephen, even on the Golf Course.

Love,

The Smith Family

Caye Caswick

November 14, 2008

Dear Matushka Gayle and Family: I am so very sorry for your loss. Fr. Stephen was a joy to be around he was always smiling and laughing. May his soul rest with the souls of the blessed. Memory Eternal!

Showing 1 - 10 of 10 results