FAIRPORT, NY- Joseph C. Lafornara Sr, 77, of Fairport passed away peacefully on May 10, 2022, after a brief but courageous battle with lung cancer in the loving presence of his wife and niece.
Born on January 21, 1945, in Buffalo, NY he was predeceased by his parents Anthony J Lafornara Sr. and Carol (Trumello) Lafornara and brother Anthony Lafornara Jr. sister-in-law Marietta (Lipomi) Lafornara, and brother-in-law Michael Remmes.
After graduating from Canisius College, he was drafted into the United States Army and served honorably one tour in Vietnam, and later discharged after serving a second year at Ft Knox, KY.
After his service, Joseph moved to Rochester NY. In 1984, Joe found his dream job as the Business Manager/Controller for NBC Affiliate WHEC-TV Channel 10 where he proudly worked for 34 years until his retirement in 2018 earning the respect and admiration of his peers.
After his retirement, you could find him playing golf, his passion, at Blue Heron C.C. and then at Midvale C.C. where he was a staple in the club’s golf community and annual events. Joe and Karen had an active social life with loving friends enjoying Euchre, dining out, and cruising during the winter months.
He is survived by his wife Karen (Remmes) of 53 wonderful years together, his son, Joseph Lafornara Jr. (Jill), nephews, Anthony J. Lafornara III (Jeannie), James and Alex Remmes, Eric Mitchell (Alana), Jon Remmes. Nieces, Carol Kirk (Bob) Patricia Anzalone (Charles), Chrissa and Cara Remmes, and Kim Girard (Pat).
He is also survived by in-laws Alan and Susan (Remmes) Mitchell, Barbara Remmes, Peter and Anastasia Remmes along with many loving cousins, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at the Richard Keenan Funeral Home, 7501 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd. Fairport from 4:00 -6:00pm. Funeral Service will be celebrated on Friday May 20, 2022, at 12:00pm, at White Haven Memorial Park All Season’s Chapel located in the back at 210 Marsh Rd. Pittsford, with a life celebration luncheon to follow at Midvale C.C.
For those wishing, donations can be made to James P. Wilmot Cancer Center 90 Crittenden Blvd. Rochester, NY 14642 in Joseph C. Lafornara Sr. memory.
The family would like to thank the staff at The Highlands at Brighton for their compassion and care for our Joe during his final days.
Comments
13 responses to “Lafornara Sr., Joseph C.”
On behalf of our entire Sharp team, please accept our deepest sympathies
Sorry for your loss. I always loved working with Joe. He was such a nice man!
So sorry for your loss. Great memories of Joe working decades with him.
Karen and family you are in our thoughts and prayers. Joe was an amazing man we enjoyed your company on many occasions.
May you enjoy all the wonderful memories you have shared throughtout the years.
Joe, sorry for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
KAREN-
No words can convey the sincere sorrow for your loss. Working with Joe for over 18 years at WHEC was such an honor for me and many others. Not only was he extremely talented at his job, his warmth and friendship will never be forgotten. I will miss him dearly and he will always be in my thoughts and prayers.
I am soo saddened by Joe’s passing. My thought and prayers with all who loved him
So sad to hear of Joe’s passing. I worked at WHEC-TV for 37 years and most of them were with Joe who was as likeable as anyone who ever walked in the door at 191 East Avenue. He loved golf. We talked golf often and got to play together not often enough. He now has a permanent tee time in Heaven, where all drives are long and straight, and holes-in-one happen every day!
I worked along side Joe for many years in Controllers Dept. at Lincoln First Bank. He was a great guy and we were great friends. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. My wife and I send our condolences to his wife Karen and their family.
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Dear Karen, please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. So very sorry to hear of Joe’s passing, the love of your life.
Karen and Joey
I was sad to learn of Joe Sr.’s passing.
Janice Larson
Karen, I just learned the sad news. I honor Joe’s memory.
Karen, We were stunned to read that Joe had passed. Dave always loved spending time on the golf course with Joe and then having “snacks” at your home. We have shared with many our last visit and how much fun we all had. We loved hanging with you and hope we can reconnect in time. Joe will be deeply missed. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. All our love, Janice and David
Dave was possibly coming out to visit the station like in the past.