Joseph Zufall Sr. passed away on June 9th, 2024, at the age of 85. He was lovingly referred to as “Big Joe” to all who knew and loved him.  He is survived by his fiancée and partner Barbara Giglio; his sister Georgette Kokoszczynski (Al); his four children Theresa Gelling, Jeanmarie Organ (Tom), Joseph Zufall (Tracy), and John Zufall (Jenn); his 10 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and one on the way. He is reunited with his wife of 55 years, Kathryn Zufall, who passed away in 2017; his parents Philip Zufall and Rose (Schimek); and brother Philip Zufall.

Joseph was born in 1938 in New York City and joined the Navy after graduating early from DeWitt Clinton High School. He studied meteorology while enlisted and after serving was hired at TWA as an assistant meteorologist. He spent the next three decades as a Flight Dispatch Officer and Union leader at TWA. Although he grew up in the city he spent summers in Roscoe, New York, with his mother’s extended family learning an entirely different way of life, working and enjoying the outdoors. He was a life-long coin collector and loved sports, movies, music, and history. He had a great memory and could talk with anyone about anything. He was playful. incredibly generous, and a bright light in every room. He was an avid walker and dabbled in drawing here and there. Family was of great importance to him – creating an annual family vacation event that brought tremendous joy to all. Lasting beyond a decade, it was his family legacy. He was a man of tremendous faith, serving as a Eucharistic Minister for many years at St. Ignatius of Antioch parish in Tarpon Springs, where he and Kay retired to in 1995. He was a source of strength for his family and friends, and a true caregiver. One of his favorite poems was ANYWAY by Mother Teresa. The poem expresses that the ultimate purpose of our lives is to do good for others and follow our hearts, and to not be discouraged by obstacles or challenges along the way, because life ultimately is about one’s relationship with God. With that in mind, Big Joe always said that we should not be afraid to live our lives. He lived a life filled with laughter, love, and wisdom, and he will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege to know him.