Obituary of Richard A. Tafoya, Sr.
Richard A. “Tony” Tafoya, Sr., age 68, of Joliet, passed away Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center from injuries sustained in an automobile accident that occurred January 10.
Born April 17, 1950 in Joliet, IL, he was the son of Gonzalo and Guadalupe “Lucy” (nee Rodriguez) Tafoya, and was a graduate of Lockport Township High School.
Tony was employed by Argonne National Laboratory as a Chief Technician. He previously worked for General Electric, Morris Operations, as a nuclear technician. He loved his job and his many coworkers who became dear friends.
Tony was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather who will be remembered for his sense of humor, and keeping his cars spotless. His grandchildren will never forget him taking them to the mall, fishing, sledding, movies, attending all their school activities and spending countless hours at Chuck E. Cheese with them.
A devoted Catholic and a man of faith, he was a member of the Church of St. Jude, and a former member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, where he served as an usher.
Surviving are his beloved wife, Joyce (nee Pope) Tafoya; one son, Richard A. (Amee) Tafoya, Jr.; four grandchildren, Catlynne Elise Reavis, Trey Anthony Tafoya, Antonio Jordan Tafoya and Trinity Corrine Tafoya; four sisters and one brother, Dolores (the late Zeke) Gutierrez, Carmen (the late Paul, Sr.) Breyer, Louis (Ronnell) Tafoya, Rosemary (Robert) Fox and Christine Tafoya; a sister-in-law, Yvonne Tafoya; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Angela (Thomas) Orasco; and two brothers, Joseph Tafoya and Steven Tafoya.
Visitation for Tony Tafoya will be held Monday, January 21, 2019, from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m., at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Road, Joliet. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 22, 2019, at 9:15 a.m., from the funeral home chapel to the Church of St. Jude, 2212 McDonough St., Joliet, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park.
Memorials in his name to the Church of St. Jude Building Fund would be appreciated.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
