Obituary of Christopher J Buffa
Christopher J. Buffa passed away at Morristown Medical Center on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, two days shy of his 85th Valentine birthday.
Born in Clark, NJ to second generation Sicilian parents Gerolamo Buffa and Domenica (Gingrandi) Buffa, he attended Arthur L. Johnson High School before enlisting in the United States Army, achieving the rank of SP4, equivalent to today’s rank of Corporal, due to his talent for repairing anything technical and mechanical. Upon leaving the Army with an honorable discharge, turning down the rank of SP5, equivalent to today’s rank of Sergeant, Chris enrolled in Lincoln Technical School where he excelled in his studies of Master Mechanic while working at Westfield Ford, becoming their youngest certified Master Mechanic. Here he met JoAnne Parisi of Maplewood, NJ, where she was employed as the Office Manager, she was the youngest person to run such a large multi-dealership company – something they both had in common. They courted for one year before marrying during the long Memorial Day Holiday weekend in 1961, as both being indispensable.
Starting married life and a family in a small house in Dunellen, a long way from work, they moved to Maplewood where they lived for 35 years. While raising their family of three, they became active in the community, finding other things they had in common. They joined the Maplewood Garden Club, where JoAnne often placed or won. They became active in both Boy and Girl Scouts, the Italian-American Club, The Elks Lodge and Maplewood Memorial Library, just to name a few. They became charter members of the Maplewood Community Pool, spending many summer hours there over the years. This love of water allowed them to travel and ultimately build a second home near Long Beach Island, where they settled later in their ‘Golden Years.’
They continued to travel, but ‘downsized’ to a home in Bridgewater, NJ, where they resided for nearly 14 years, remaining close with their three children and then, who grandchildren.
Chris was a man of few words, quiet and unassuming with a smile that would light up his face, always ready to help or lend an ear. As he aged, mechanical work became difficult for him, so his love of the Library was where he found work for almost 20 years.
Chris was the proud father of Lawrence Buffa of Clark, Cheralyn Buffa of Montclair, and Christianne Buffa, along with Scott, of Long Hill Township, provided him with two grandchildren, Samantha and Jonathan Soldan.
After a life filled with both joys and hardships, Chris is now resting peacefully with the love of his life, JoAnne, married nearly 57 years, who preceded him in death by almost two years. For those who wish, donations to the Myeloma Foundation, Blood or Bone Marrow Cancer Foundations can be made in honor of his memory.
A private family celebration will be held.
