How do we describe the life of someone who has just died? I’ve been wrestling with that question since my grandson, John, died in March. He was many things to many people, and if I could say anything profound, it would be that John’s gentle nature, full of warmth and intellect, touched many lives. He will always be a standard bearer for kindness. People from many generations and locations will miss him deeply. He touched our lives.
When I married Jack Vorfeld, John was a little guy. Talk about cute. And even as a child, he got involved in community affairs and received an award for his big heart. I’m going to include a few photos of John as a boy, because that’s when I knew him the best. I’ll follow with his obituary.
JOHN C. VORFELD, 47, of Rindge, N.H., died March 20, 2008. Born in Kailua. Owner and operator of Vorfeld Company-Architectural Design and Construction. Survived by wife, Patricia; son, Alexander; daughter, Emma; sister, Victoria Kukuruda; father, Peter; mother, Marilyn Gilden Sussman. Service 4 p.m. today at Pierce Hall, Campus Center at Franklin Pierce University. Burial later. Donations to the Vorfeld Family Scholarship Fund, c/o Ocean Bank, Box 552, Peterborough, NH 03458. Arrangements by T.J. Anderson & Son Funeral Home.
I am so very sorry to hear about John, as this was a total shock to me. I grew up on Kaipiha St. and my sister Sue were really good friends with his sister Vicky. My parents were socially involved with Peter & Marilyn. I am so very sorry to hear such news. John was always so very sweet, and especially cute. Please give my condolences to all. Much Aloha to all…Malama Pono…Debbie altman
I was searching the web looking for some information about Kalaheo H.S. and found this post about John. My condolences to John’s family. John and I were friends at Kalaheo H.S. where he was a year behind me. Unfortunately we didn’t stay in touch after I graduated. We ran cross country together, water skiid on Kaneohe Bay and even went scuba diving once with his father, Peter. Of course – we hung out a lot at school. John was always fun and had mostly good things to say about people. It didn’t hurt that his sister, Vicky, was cute and a cheerleader! It’s a shame we didn’t stay in touch. I’m sure his family will miss him very much. Aloha – PaulG