To the Lafornara Family,

I was deeply saddened to learn of Joe's passing.

Joe and I first met in 2010 as communications partners. I owned my own company, and Joe was a sales representative for a major communications provider. What began as a business relationship quickly grew into a friendship built on trust, respect, and a shared commitment to helping our customers succeed.

Joe played an important role in helping my company grow. If I was the farmer, focused on cultivating relationships and keeping customers happy, Joe was the hunter. He was a master at cold calling, creating opportunities, and opening doors. His work ethic and hustle were second to none.

Over the years, we shared leads, ideas, stories, and plenty of laughs. Some of my favorite memories were our lunches at Gallagher's on Baseline Road. I was often there early, waiting for Joe to arrive. It always reminded me of Norm walking into Cheers, everyone knew Joe. He had a way of making connections and leaving a positive impression wherever he went.

When I moved from Phoenix to Show Low in 2022, one of the things I missed most was our regular lunches and the chance to catch up. Those conversations meant a great deal to me.

Joe's impact reached far beyond business. Through the Chess Emporium, he brought smiles to countless children and taught them lessons that will stay with them throughout their lives. His patience, passion, and willingness to give back speak volumes about the man he was.

Joe leaves behind a legacy of friendship, mentorship, hard work, and kindness. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and all those whose lives he touched.

I will miss our conversations, our lunches, and most of all, my friend.

Rest easy, Joe. If there's a Gallagher's in Heaven, I'm sure everyone already knows your name.

With heartfelt sympathy,

Bob Edens
Your Friend, Always

Many of us are in Vegas for the National Open… Thinking and remembering Coach Joe a lot this week. 

We took a moment for a picture to honor and treasure the memory of Coach Joe ❤️

So many of our kids began chess tournaments and their love of chess because of coach Joe. 

The kids in the “2026 picture” all studied under Coach Joe Lafornara at one point or another. He got all of them going to this Vegas tournament and was a big influence on their chess careers. We got together with Coach Darian, who was also close with Joe, to take a picture in his memory.  

Coach Joe's never ending enthusiasm for chess lives on in all these families and more!

I am so saddened to hear about the passing of Joey. He had his locker next to me throughout high school at Sutherland. We had great banter and he always enjoyed catching me off guard and closing my locker before I was ready.  I will forever remember the laughs we shared and our humorous debates over the topic of, is chess a true sport,   Sending my condolences to his family.

Joe and Jill’s wedding, a wonderful celebration! 
The Mitchell and Remmes Family

The Three Musketeers, treasured adventures, and time well spent.
Eric, Joe and Kim XOXO

Joe doing what he loved teaching his beloved game of chess to my boys Mitchell and Sean

My heart is broken as I say goodbye to my cousin Joe.

Joe was more than family—he was a lifelong part of my childhood, my memories, and my heart. From growing up together surrounded by family while our fathers returned home from Vietnam, to years of shared adventures with Joe and Eric, our lives were deeply intertwined from the very beginning.

I will always cherish the memories, sleepovers at Aunt Karen and Uncle Joe’s, summers at Letchworth State Park and Crystal Beach, days at the Buffalo Zoo, skating and sledding in winter, and endless family gatherings filled with laughter. As we grew older, those memories continued through concerts, trips, holidays, and special moments that meant so much more in hindsight.

Joe was funny, brilliant, competitive, and gifted in everything he touched-sports, poker, chess, and teaching. Whether pitching in Little League, bowling a 299 game, golfing like his dad, or later becoming a Master Chess Instructor, Joe had a rare ability to inspire others and make people feel seen and valued.

One of my most treasured memories will always be our trip to Las Vegas for his birthday—filled with laughter, adventure, and time together I will never forget.

Joe faced his illness with courage, dignity, and strength. I was blessed to be with him in his final hours, holding his hand and telling him how deeply he was loved. That moment will stay with me forever.

He will be remembered for his humor, his brilliant mind, his loyalty, his generosity, and the love he gave so freely to family, friends, and students.

My heart also goes out to Jill and Aunt Karen, whose loss is immeasurable.

Rest peacefully, Joe. You will always be loved, always be missed, and forever held in my heart. ❤️

Kim, Pat, Mitchell, Sean

Joe was that friend who you *always* had as a fixture in crazy stories. He was also the friend who, when Emily and I were exhausted new parents who didn't have the energy to be anything other than that, would show up regularly with a pizza and some sodas, willing to simply hang out and remind us that we were more than that.

Things got complicated, but we never stopped loving him.

May his memory be a blessing.

Alex had some of his happiest memories at Chess Emporium with Coach Joe—from local tournaments and the Road to Nationals to the 2024 Nationals. Coach Joe was the one who sparked Alex’s love for chess. He looked out for him, stood up for him when he was bullied, and taught him good sportsmanship, kindness, and respect.

Even after transferring to a different school and stepping away from tournaments, Alex often thought about Coach Joe and the positive impact he had on his life. Coach Joe will be deeply missed and forever remembered with gratitude and love.

Coach Joe is THE reason Cason loved chess. Words can not express the amount of appreciation we will always have for Coach Joe and the love and support he showed for my son. He will forever be missed

We remember that first summer Vegas tournament. Coach Joe said, “Come to Vegas. It will be fun.” Jefferson didn’t have a USCF rating and had never annotated a chess game or used a clock, but Coach Joe was right. It was FUN! We were all in from then on with coach Joe leading the way. We have fond memories of Coach Joe learning not to wear his red polo in Vegas so he would not be mistaken for the tournament director and get asked for directions by other confused chess parents. We cherish the sense of team and community created with the famous “war room” where the Chess Emporium players and families could gather and hang out literally all day to prep, play and analyze chess games and build incredible, unforgettable memories. 

Coach Joe, you have inspired so many with your love and passion for chess and we have shared so many treasured moments. Jefferson began his first chess tournament only knowing that you were there to support him, unsure how to record his moves but with a spark that you ignited that continues; there is always a lesson to learn or a new goal to attempt. Just as you coached your students, you faced your battle with cancer with hope and courage. We pray that you are now at peace, with no pain or suffering. We pray that you know your influence in the lives of students continues to play out on the boards of their chess games, in the tactics and strategies they employ, and you will remain in our hearts, and in our thoughts for a lifetime. 

We are so grateful for our time with you, although too short, and wish you love, light and peace.

I remember when he taught me how to play chess. It was something I’ll never forget. He was a great coach and a great person and the tragedy of his death is an unimaginable tragedy.

OBITUARY

Joseph Carl Lafornara Jr.

October 1, 1969 – May 29, 2026

Resthaven/Carr-Tenney Mortuary & Memorial Gardens

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