Joseph Carl Lafornara Jr.

Joseph C. Lafornara Jr., 56, of Phoenix, Arizona passed away peacefully on May 29, 2026, after a courageous battle with Diffused Large Cell B Lymphoma in the loving presence of his wife, mother, and cousin.

Joe was born on October 1, 1969, in Buffalo, New York. Joe graduated from Pittsford High School and received an Associates Degree from Monroe Community College. He married his wife, Jill Denise Lafornara on November 4, 2000 in Rochester, New York. Joe moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 2001. After working several years in outside sales, he began teaching chess to elementary school-aged children (K-6) at the Chess Emporium. He left the Chess Emporium for a period of time, but returned to the Chess Emporium to be the Sales Director and continue to teach chess. While at the Chess Emporium Joe taught programs, such as, the Road to Nationals to prepare students to attend Elementary Nationals and Super Nationals chess tournaments held in different U.S. cities.

Joe also played backgammon, poker, and golf. You could find him, during football season, watching the Buffalo Bills with his friends.

Joe was predeceased by his father Joseph C. Lafornara, Sr., grandparents Anthony J. Lafornara, Sr. and Carol (Trumello) Lafornara, James Remmes and Leone (Stearns) Remmes, father in-law Paul L. Perkins along with several uncles and aunts.

Joe is survived by his wife Jill (Perkins) Lafornara with whom he shared a quarter of a century of love. His mother Karen (Remmes) Lafornara, cousins Anthony J. Lafornara III (Jeannie), Kim Giard (Pat), Carol Kirk (Bob), Eric Mitchell (Alana), Patricia Anzalone (Charles), James and Alex Remmes, and Chrissa, Cara and Jon Remmes, as well as many other cousins.

Joe is also survived by his mother in-law Sue Perkins, in-laws Jeff Perkins (Celesta) and Jennifer Perkins. Nephews Ian Leach, Johnny and Ryan Beck, and Steele Perkins. Nieces Ashlee Guerrero, Indigo Clay (Michael), Jade Perkins, and Annabella Leach together with his grandniece and grandnephews.

For those wishing, donations can be made to the Banner Health Foundation Portal, Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Joseph C. Lafornara Jr.’s memory.

The family would like to thank the staff at Hospice of the Valley Ryan House for their compassion and care of Joe during his final days.