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Schnider Funeral Home - Great Falls

1510 13th Street South

Great Falls, Montana

Jay Karaffa Obituary

Jay "Scott" Karaffa, 68, of Great Falls, passed away on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, of natural causes.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Updates will be shared online at www.SchniderFuneralHome.com.

Scott was born on October 4, 1951, to Denis and Phyllis (Filbrandt) Karaffa. He graduated from Great Falls High School and went on to complete his bachelor's degree at Montana State University.

Following college, he returned to Great Falls and worked as a surveyor at Thomas, Dean, & Hoskins, the assistant to the public works director for the Public Works Department of the City of Great Falls, as facilities director at Great Falls College Montana State University, and as a project manager at Boland Construction before he retired.

In February of 1980, he married Teresa "Terry" Foley and together they had two children, Sara and Joseph Tyler.

Throughout his professional years, he was active in Leadership Great Falls, the Great Falls Food Bank, and the Exchange Club of Great Falls, serving as its' president at the time of his death. He was also a proud lifetime member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and the Fraternal Order of the Elks. Recreationally, he spent time as a ski coach with Eagle Mount, and enjoyed golfing, bowling, fishing, camping, and playing cards with his many friends. He loved yard work and took great pride in his yard.

Above all, he was a loving and devoted husband of 40-years, a proud father of his two children, and wonderful Papa to his four grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Terry; daughter, Sara; son, J. Tyler (Katie); and four grandchildren, Quinn, Kinsey, Jaxon, and Jamie. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Cydne.

Memorials are suggested to Exchange Club of Great Falls, PO Box 6622, Great Falls, MT 59406, or donor's choice.

Condolences for the family may be shared online at www.SchniderFuneralHome.com.

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

Published by Great Falls Tribune from Jun. 25 to Jun. 28, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Jay Karaffa

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4 Entries

Patricia Rosenleaf

June 30, 2020

Just a very belated condolence to you, Terry, Sara, and Tyler, I was so sorry to read about Scott's passing. I hope that your shared memories and love will sustain you all during this difficult time.

Catherine Lowden

June 28, 2020

I was a friend with Scott growing up. He was a great kid! After graduation we all went different ways and when I retired I came back to GF to be with my Dad and would see Scott at MSU when teaching some classes there. He was just as nice a person as you could find even though so many years had gone by. I am so sorry to hear this tragic news. I pray that God has made a very special place for him. God Love him and RIP dear friend.

Dwight and Bev Axelsen

June 27, 2020

Terry

Our hearts go out to you. May you find comfort in happy memories and the support of family and friends.

Tom & Marilyn Rounds

June 19, 2020

Our love goes out to you. We so appreciated Scott as a friend, father, grandfather, and a husband. Our hearts go out to you at this time. Let God hold you in his arms. Tom & Marilyn

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Funeral services provided by:

Schnider Funeral Home - Great Falls

1510 13th Street South, Great Falls, MT 59405

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