Joel Charles Kaufman

Joel Charles Kaufman, of Taylorsville, Maryland, passed away on Thursday, October 30th, at Carroll Hospital. His son David, daughter Lynn and son-in-law George were by his side. Diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in August, he was undergoing outpatient chemotherapy at Johns Hopkins. An underlying serious cardiac problem emerged on October 27th creating complications that were ultimately fatal.
A retired real estate developer, Joel's projects ranged from residential to commercial, from Carroll County to Ocean City. He was especially proud of his involvement in the construction of the Beth Shalom Synagogue in Taylorsville. Although he grew up in the Bronx, New York, he and his wife Rosemary, who predeceased him, embraced country life in their farmhouse wholeheartedly. His lifelong love of horses was instilled early on, with his first job as a young boy, mucking out horse stalls in upstate New York. In his later years, Joel was politically active in Carroll County as a concerned citizen, lending his support to various grass roots efforts. He enjoyed golf and swimming and was an avid jazz and Latin jazz enthusiast. Dance was his favorite form of exercise, and he could be found on a salsa or tango dance floor almost weekly. He dabbled in piano and guitar, but his instrument of choice was his beloved conga drum.
A loving father and loyal and generous friend, Joel's broad range of interests, optimism, sense of humor, and enjoyment of a good challenge gave him the opportunity to touch many lives. His passing will leave an unfillable gap for those who loved him. Donations may be made in his memory to Bridging Life – Dove House Hospice.