Joseph Anthony LoFria, 61 of Baker, Florida, a longtime resident to Okaloosa County, went to be with Jesus on September 14th, 2021, after fighting a 6-week battle with the Covid-19, Delta Variant.
He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on January 27, 1960, to Joseph & Dorothy LoFria.
Joe joined the Air Force in 1980 and served 34 years between Active, Guard, and Reserve as a Medic. Among his accomplishments, he got his Eagle Scout in 1978, and he became one of the first Paramedics in the State of Mississippi in the early 80’s.
Joe worked as a Paramedic in New Orleans, LA, Gulfport, Mississippi, and Manchester, NH. When Joe relocated to Okaloosa County, Florida in 1994, he served as a Paramedic for Okaloosa and Santa Rosa Counties. He also had the privilege of being a flight medic for Life-Guard Ambulance Service. He was also a volunteer Fire Fighter for 34 years.
Although Joe retired from the Air Force in 2013, he remained committed to the Military by being a non-medical case manager and contracted to the government to work with SOCOM and AFW2 to help service members in need. He worked at Hulbert Field for 9 years and will be missed by many. He is famous for touching lives from coast to coast and overseas. Helping others was part of Joe’s DNA and was evident in everything he did.
Joe is survived by his parents Joseph & Dorothy LoFria, his wife of 10 years, Kristina Kay Lofria, and his children and step-children – Ashley LoFria, JT (Bre) LoFria, Isaac LoFria, Joshua Heaton, Preston (Sierra) Kelley and Christopher (Brandi) Kelley and his siblings, Paul (Jane) LoFria & Richard (Julie) LoFria and Lisa Smith and their families:
Joe also has 7 grandchildren, and he loved all of them immensely: Cason LoFria, Aurora Heaton, Lorraine Heaton, Luke Kelley, Conner Kelley, Easton Kelley, and Bryson Kelley. They were the light of his life and brought so much Joy.
Joes favorite bible verse was Hebrews 11:1, and his favorite quote was “Always do what’s right even in the face of adversity”.
Service will be a Celebration of Life on September 26th, 2021, at 2 pm at their new home in Baker, FL that has been referred to as “The Farm” by Joe many times.
Location:
5925 Jack Stokes Road
Baker, Florida 32531
"The Farm" - Lofria Home
Kelli Maynard
September 16, 2021, 4:35 pm
Joe was a wonderful and loving husband, father and friend. He will be missed by those of us who knew him. Our love and support go out to Joe’s family in their time of need.
John H. pennell
September 16, 2021, 5:30 pm
You will be missed Joe, a great guy, worker, comrade and friend. RIP
Carol Murati
September 16, 2021, 8:52 pm
To our dear niece Kristy
We are sad to hear of your losing your sweet husband Joe.
We send you and your family our condolences and want you to know we love you so much. He will be missed by many who love him too.
Kathleen Yount
September 16, 2021, 11:38 pm
I first knew Joe at Kessler AFB when a young Lt. and was so pleased to have the pleasure of working with him while at Eglin for over 20 years. I am so saddened to hear of his passing. He was a strong advocate for the military members and a devoted family man. He was one of a kind. My condolences to his family, may he Rest In Peace.
Kitty (Karen) Kortuem
September 17, 2021, 1:55 am
We had great times, fun deployments, a wonderful training. What more could you wish for? Heaven will feel even more wonderful with his presence.
Pat Ryan
September 17, 2021, 5:28 am
RIP Joe! You’ll be forever in my prayers!
Loni
September 17, 2021, 11:22 am
Joe is back with our Lord. Kristie – I know that your Faith got him Home. I also know that he’s being welcomed by another in Heaven. We’ll get through this sister.
Eric Carver
September 17, 2021, 11:26 am
I had the opportunity to work with Joe for years at the 919th Special Operations Medical Squadron. He brought a wealth of knowledge to the unit and he will be sorely missed within the community. I pray for an abundance of peace for the family during this difficult time.
Donna Huff
September 17, 2021, 1:27 pm
I was a secretary at the 919th Special Operations Wing, Duke Field. Joe treated an injury to my knee when I worked there. I will never forget his kindness.
Howard Levins
September 17, 2021, 3:17 pm
RIP Joe.
Kit Callahan
September 17, 2021, 7:00 pm
I first met Joe when he was a paramedic with the Okaloosa EMS and I was a volunteer fireman. I also saw him in the 919th at Duke Field when I went to the medical squadron. He was always so friendly willing to help you with what ever you needed. I pray his family finds strength and some comfort during this trying time. RIP Joe.
Loney Whitley
September 17, 2021, 7:46 pm
Joe was one heck of a nice man.
Kay Money
September 18, 2021, 12:51 am
Joe was the first person at my bedside after my injury in 2018 and he made sure I was taken care of. Joe was my friend, neighbor and my AFW2 patient advocate. My heart and prayers go out to Kristy, Isaac and family.
Dorothy and Joseph Lofria
September 18, 2021, 2:20 am
Joseph was our first born child.. His father and myself know that God wanted him for a special reason. That reason to us is that now he is at peace, and he is with his whole family that was quite large and they all liked him. This is your Mom and Dad talking, so you better listen, Take a deep breath and relax, until we see you again. Love you, Ma and Dad
Mike
September 18, 2021, 5:56 pm
I’ll definitely feel Joe’s absence. He helped not only me but so many others. Aside from his help he was a good friend. My condolences to his family.
Timothy A. Stage
September 18, 2021, 7:17 pm
Joe and I worked with Joe on Duke Field. Joe was a good friend and will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Ken G Hayes
September 18, 2021, 8:41 pm
Served with Joe at Duke, awesome Airman and humanitarian. He will be missed!
Ken Hayes
September 18, 2021, 8:43 pm
Awesome Warrior and Man
Gina Pagano
September 21, 2021, 8:27 pm
From the team at Patriot Enterprises, we are so sorry for the loss of Joe. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time of sorrow.
Michael Wright
September 21, 2021, 10:32 pm
Joe was compassionate with people especially all those who served. You will be missed. Rest In Peace Shipmate.
Michael Wright
September 21, 2021, 10:42 pm
Rest In Peace Shipmate. You are going to be missed.
Sharon Herrin
September 24, 2021, 4:38 am
Prayers to the Family. I worked in the Gulf Coast Council Office from Oct 2018 thru Jan 2020 and it was a pleasure to see Joe come into the office. He was an awesome Scout leader and a great person to work with. Sorry to hear of him passing.
Eagle Scout Timmy
September 24, 2021, 5:38 am
Rest in peace Eagle scout Joe!
Beverly Holland
September 25, 2021, 3:09 pm
Kristy after reading all the comments you have got to be so proud of Joe. Everyone loved him so much. Wish I would have been blessed to have met him.
Love you and I will be praying for you and the children
April Arentz
September 25, 2021, 3:18 pm
Kristy
Me and Mom send our condolences love and prayers to you ❤
Holly WoodJackson
September 26, 2021, 4:05 pm
To Family, Friends, and co-workers,
My condolences, Joe was a good friend and a wonderful mentor to these that He worked with and helped on a daily basis. May the Lord bless him and keep in the palm of his right hand. My thoughts and prayers will be with you all.
Nancy D'Silva
October 15, 2021, 4:24 am
I worked as a flight surgeon at Duke field and had the opportunity to know Joe. May his soul RIP. My thoughts and prayers for his family at this time of sorrow.
Patti Anne Blake-Broderick
October 20, 2021, 8:42 pm
I just recently found out about Joe’s passing. I know Joe for all the times he helped me teach CPR and First Aid classes at the 157th USAF Clinic, NHANG. He was always there to help no matter what. Rest in peace my friend. You will be missed. Kristy may God put his hand on you and your family and Bless you with peace and Love.