Joseph Stanfa

Joseph (Joe) Stanfa, age 89, of the Highland Lakes community in North Shelby County, Alabama passed away Friday morning, August 27, 2010. He and his wife, Helen, moved to Birmingham, Alabama three years ago to live near their family. Before the relocation, Joe retired from his family-owned business, Stanfa Brothers Tire Company, in Chicago, Illinois. There, he gave back to the community by volunteering with the Illinois Auxiliary State Police and serving as a Fraternal Order of Police president. Serving his country in the U.S. Army, Joe earned four overseas service bars, one service stripe, a European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, a Good Conduct Medal, and a World War II Victory Medal. He was preceded in death by his parents, Matteo Stanfa and Antonina P. Garofalo Stanfa; two brothers, Victor Stanfa and John Stanfa; and one sister, Mamie Lusk. Survivors include Joe's wife of 68 years, Helen Stanfa; two sons, Rod Stanfa and Ron Stanfa (Tricia); six grandchildren, Nick (Aly), Ronnie (Patricia), Cara, Michele (David), Denise (David), and Maribeth (Kevin); and six great-grandchildren, Payton, Jared, Logan Belle, Luke, Hudson, and Addison. Friends will be received one hour before the 7 p.m. memorial service on Monday, August 30, 2010 at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, Alabama. The family expresses thanks to Joe and Helen's neighbors and friends for their gifts of food and prayer. AlaCare Hospice, the Veterans Administration, Dr. Joaquin Arciniegas, and Dr. Guy Patterson are especially appreciated for their compassionate care of Joe.