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Joseph LaFay Obituary
Syracuse, NY: February 22, 2016, at age 71. He is survived by his brother, Anthony P. LaFay of Perinton NY and his beloved nieces and nephews, Douglas (Jasmine) LaFay, Craig (Linda) LaFay, Marie (Philip) Byrne, Joseph (Jayne) LaFay, Michael (Kristen) LaFay, Yvonne (Michael) Gabrielli, Andrea (Art) Taylor, Lisa (Mark) Grabants, Kara (Chadi) Gabrielli-Sarkis, David (Pearl) Gabrielli, Keith Lasek and Kathi Lasek, and many cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Cecelia LaFay, brothers Donald (Joanne) LaFay and Theodore LaFay, and sisters Jean (Gino) Gabrielli and Cecelia "Sandy" LaFay, and sister-in-law Roseann LaFay.
Joe was a dedicated lawyer with the Hiscock Legal Aid Society of Syracuse, NY and had a wonderful teaching career before entering law. He was a graduate of East Rochester High School, University of Rochester and received his Master's Degree and Law Degree at Syracuse University. As was his sense of humor, to quote Benjamin Franklin, "I guess I don't so much mind being old, as I mind being fat and old".
Friends may call at Harloff Funeral Home, 803 S. Washington Street, East Rochester, NY 14445 on Sunday, February 28th from 1:00pm - 4:00pm.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Hiscock Legal Aid Society at 351 S. Warren Street, Syracuse, New York 13202.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph LaFay
Mark Price
February 19, 2022
Rest well, Joe.
Mark
Mark Price
February 19, 2019
I still remember fondly my friendship with Joe during our grad school days at Syracuse. Joe was the ONLY person ever to note my error in quoting from a famous T 's Eliot poem! Not only was Joe correct; his correction was grammatically correct as well--vintage and typical Joe! Our friendship continued when I began my teaching career at RIT; Joe was truly pained when my first marriage ended.
God bless and keep him--
Mark Price
NANCY STILES
March 9, 2016
JOE YOUR A GREAT PERSON AND A WONDERFUL FRIEND ALWAYS RESPECTFUL YOU WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND TO HELP EVERYONE IN NEED THATS WHAT MADE YOU SO GREAT ME MYSELF PERSONALLY I LOVED OUR WEEKLY ROUTINE THE STORYS JOKES SOPPING DOCTORS DRIVING AROUND EVEN THE STORYS ABOUT BEN FRANKLIN I'LL MISS YOU ALWAYS THANKS FOR EVERYTHING
Martha Walsh Hood
March 2, 2016
My condolences to all who loved Joe. He was a true prince among lawyers, a scholar, comedian and friend. Joe was also generous beyond reason and always quick to find fault with any individual who lacked compassion for the disadvantaged. Gods speed Joe. Your ticket to heaven was punched long ago.
Vanessa Garcia
March 2, 2016
Craig Schlanger
February 29, 2016
I knew Joe as part of the Hiscock Legal Aid family. Joe was a true legal aid lawyer at heart, driven by his compassion for the poor and disadvantaged clients he served, but with a sense of humor to keep it all together. He will be missed.
Philip Rothschild
February 29, 2016
Joe was an amazing man in many respects. Though he did not speak french, he taught himself to read and write it. There was probably no one else as well versed on landlord-tenant law, and he used to give the judges fits when he argued. He was probably one of the few people more adept at trivia than I was, though i never admitted it to his face. joe, i will truly miss you.
Paul and Gail Forsay
February 28, 2016
Tony, so sorry to hear you have lost your brother. May your heart be filled with love,laughter with the many memories you both hold as brothers growing up.
jean shirley
February 28, 2016
I will always miss Joe and feel such gratitude for all the years we worked together. His kindness and outrageous humor brightened so many of my days. He had the best stories of anyone I ever met. I will cherish his funny drawings, especially his version of Winnie the Poo! He was a rare, beautiful man who I love and will miss very much.
William Burlingame
February 28, 2016
Although I haven't seen Joe since High School graduation at East Rochester it was sad to read of his passing. It has been many years, but I too still remember Joe's sense of humor and his ready smile. He will be missed...
Bill Burlingame
John and Jacqueline Strecansky
February 28, 2016
We will remember this intelligent man forever for his warmth, compassion, generous heart and wonderful sense of humor. He touched so many lives and will be missed dearly by so many. We were blessed to have been introduced to this amazing human being..a true gift.
Mark Price
February 28, 2016
Joe and I were friends when we were grad students At Syracuse years ago. I am sorry to hear of his passing.
Mark Price
Cindy Purtell Schmitt
February 28, 2016
Joe had so many good qualities, especially his sense of humor. I worked with Joe at SU 35 yrs ago, typing documents for him. I'll always remember the tiny Eye Chart he'd draw in the margin when I made a typo. :)
Vince Rizzi
February 27, 2016
Goodbye, Joe. A real gentleman (in every respect that word suggests) and scholar. Generous to a fault and self effacing to an entertaining and most outrageous extent. A kinder soul I have rarely, if ever, encountered. It is my honor to consider you a friend and colleague. The word lost one of nature's true noblemen, and is all the poorer for it.
Paula ILacqua-Morales
February 27, 2016
Joe has been one of my very best friends for over 46 years. He always stood by me and was on my side. He did so much for me and my daughters, I could never repay him. He earned his title of Uncle Joe by the steadfast love and loyalty he always gave to us. I will miss our talks, the laughter, the food!! I will miss all the wonders of my dear friend, Joe. I am grateful to believe that he is at peace now and that we were so lucky to share so many fabulous moments of life together. "Nothing but heaven itself is better than a friend who is really a friend." (Plautus)
Quentin Lilley
February 27, 2016
So sorry to hear about your loss. Uncle Joe was was a great person and Seth and I are grateful to have known him.
Diane Lilley/Wagner
February 27, 2016
I am so sad to hear of Joes passing. His unselfishness and kindness are beyond description. His sense of humor could not be matched. He was special. My condolences to his family and Syracuse friends.
Lou Riley
February 27, 2016
I remember one time I was in Joe's office. He was on the phone trying to prevent someone from being evicted from their apartment and becoming homeless. He was particularly exasperated at the apparent lack of cooperation and compassion he was getting from the person on the other end of the phone. He hung up the phone and looked at me with that expression of righteous indignation on his face and said, "how can you tell how long somebody's been a social worker?" I said "I don't know how can you tell?" To which he replied "from the size of their butt!" Joe obviously never meant this as an indictment of all social workers. He loved people that were dedicated to helping others. Mark Twain, however, had nothing on Joe. His wit was inescapable. It was about the content of his character. Joe walked the walk. He was an intellect with a heart of gold. He was an outstanding attorney who could have made a fortune in private practice, but who instead, dedicated his professional life to helping people who couldn't afford to hire a lawyer. He was a tireless advocate for people whom he perceived were the victim of an injustice. Joe was generous to a fault. He gave everything of himself and asked for nothing in return. He was Uncle Joe and a mentor to my son's. Joe wasn't supposed to eat cake but he would sit in the kitchen with my boys and with that smile on his face look at them and say, "eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we diet!". The world was a better place because of Joe. Now he's up in heaven, probably ordering our guardian angels around! Thank you Joe. You did more for me than I ever deserved. God bless you!
February 26, 2016
What else can I say that has not already been said, he was a wonderful man, highly intelligent, compassionate, he loved to make people laugh, we at Legal Aid often said he should have been a comedian!! R.I.P. dear friend. Joan Tauro
Uncle Joe & Mom at my wedding 9/2/01.
Adrienne Durant
February 26, 2016
I will never forgot my Uncle Joe. Even though he is not a blood relative, he is the one of the best uncles anyone could have. He never missed a birthday or graduation, and he was a proud Uncle at my wedding.
As young children, Uncle Joe would often babysit me and my two older sisters. He read us countless books and endured the shenanigans of little girls. When he was over for dinner during the high school years and we struggled with homework, Uncle Joe patiently sat with us until it was complete and understood.
One of my fondest memories of Uncle Joe is being out to dinner with the family and we would do what I now call "Uncle Joe Art". Uncle Joe would pull out his trusty fountain pen from his shirt pocket and a piece of paper, draw a line or squiggle, and then someone would have to create a drawing from it.
We were always in awe of Uncle Joe's creation when it was his turn, and usually pretty entertained by our own.
Uncle Joe Art is often used with my own children when we are out at a restaurant, and wow can it be a life saver!
Now with children of my own, he is their Uncle Joe too, and he has treated them just as he has treated my sisters and I.
Our Uncle Joe will be deeply missed. He holds a profound place in our hearts. RIP Uncle Joe.
Kathy O'Hara
February 26, 2016
Joe was my co-worker at Hiscock Legal Aid Society for 25 years. He was the kindest, most generous man I have ever met. There was nothing he wouldn't do for anyone, there was nothing he possessed that he didn't offer to share. He was patient and intelligent, and would offer a joke or funny story to make every bad day better. He will not be forgotten by any the friends, colleagues, and clients who were fortunate enough to meet him. Rest in peace, dear Joe.
Margaret Hart
February 26, 2016
Joe, I wanted your family to know that I always appreciated your sense of humor, and your kind spirit toward your clients especially the ones that needed you the most. How fortunate that they met an "angel" here on earth. It was wonderful and a blessing to have worked with you for many years my friend.
George Hildebrandt
February 26, 2016
Joe had the biggest heart and most compassion of anyone I know. His patience was unequaled, as was his wit, of which he was often the foil. Your thousand word expositions on the merits of your clients' cases, complete with diagrams and flow charts, were hell for those you worked with Joe, but your reward is most definitely Above!
Cynthia Garrow
February 26, 2016
I am truly saddened by Joe's passing. I had the good fortune to know and work with Joe at Hiscock Legal Aid, albeit for only one year. He was the first attorney I met there, on the day I was interviewed. I was so nervous waiting for my interview and Joe came in and sat beside me, introduced himself and launched into one of his wonderful stories and retelling of one of his infamous cases. He made me laugh until I forgot all my nerves and nailed the interview. Thank you Joe. You will be sorely missed.
Ed McQuat
February 26, 2016
RIP Joe LaFay, you were a wonderful colleague and truly one of the nicest and most caring persons I have ever met....and for you only Joe, I did not use up all the ACDs, I still tell that story!!!
Genevieve DeBlois
February 26, 2016
Uncle Joe was our (my sisters and I)#1 babysitter growing up. I am now in my mid 40's, and so Joe endured countless episodes of the "Love Boat," "Dukes of Hazard," "Happy Days," "Laverne and Shirley," and other awesome 1970's/1980's TV, but most of all, he shared with us a love of books, and the importance of showing compassion to individuals with challenges/needs in our community.
February 26, 2016
I was so sad to hear of Joe's passing. I worked with him at the legal aid society. He was a true gentleman and a wonderful teacher to the younger staff attorneys. He was truly one of a kind and will be missed. With my deepest sympathy, Frances Grimaldi
Peter DeBlois
February 26, 2016
What Shakespeare's Hamlet said of his father--He was a man, take him for all in all,/I shall not look upon his like again--can be said by everyone whose lives Joe touched. Bless you Joe for your life, for your generosity, your good counsel, your wit and learning, and for keeping us on edge.
Peter DeBlois
February 26, 2016
Peter DeBlois
February 26, 2016
Peter DeBlois
February 26, 2016
Kathy Riley-Perry
February 25, 2016
Joe was a dear dear friend. For 13 years, I lived in the house he owned on Erie St in Syracuse, NY. Joe mentored my boys, shared his love of books (and he had rooms full of books!) and invited us to many Sunday dinners. He had a gentle and generous soul and will be greatly missed.
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