Helene (Garramone) Jufiar

Mrs. Helene (Garramone) Jufiar, age 76, of Frankfort, NY, passed away on Saturday November 20, 2021 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center with her loving family and friends by her side.

She was born in Utica on July 26, 1945, the eldest child of the late Stephen and Lena Prestigiacomo Garramone and was raised and educated in Utica and Frankfort. On August 18, 1981 she was married to Alfred “Fred” Jufiar in Sacramento, CA. a blessed union of 40 years.  Helene was afforded the opportunity to live in numerous states as well as Okinawa, Japan and Agnano, Italy before returning to Frankfort, NY. Helene began her career as a cashier at the Child Development Center on Castle AFB in CA. and within a few years had succeeded to become the Director of the facility. She then became the Director of Outdoor Recreation at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan as well as Davis- Monthan AFB, Tucson, AZ. She finished her long career at the US Naval Base in Agnano, Italy, as Director of Tickets and Tours before retiring to her home in Frankfort, NY. Helene enjoyed traveling, painting, golfing and quilting.

Surviving, are her beloved husband Alfred “Fred” of Frankfort; her children Wayne Keefe of Richmond, CA. and Michelle (Keefe) Rigsby of Albuquerque, NM; Susan (Jufiar) Paul of Frisco, TX. and Philip Jufiar of TX; her grandchildren Daniel and Kristi Rigsby, Amanda Rigsby and fiancee’ Nestor Pena, Jeremy Paul and Tucker Jufiar; great-grandchildren Emma Lee Pohl, Charlotte Rigsby, Sadie DuPont, Kenadie DuPont and Rhett Rigsby; one sister Eugenia “Jeannie” Partipelo of Oneida, two brothers and her sister-in-law Stephen Jr. and Maria Garramone of Utica and John Garramone, Sr.  and Maria Calenzo of Frankfort; her sister-in-law and “Best Friend” Patricia (Pat) Garramone, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her mom and dad and her son-in-law Ricky E. Rigsby.

Visitation will be held on Monday from 11:00 am until 12:30 pm at The Scala & Roefaro Funeral Home Inc. 1122 Culver Ave. Utica. Funeral prayer services will be at the conclusion of visitation at 12:30 pm in the funeral home. Private interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.