JORDANVILLE - Joseph F. Sarafin age 91 passed away on Wednesday evening October 2, 2013 in Saint Elizabeths Medical Center, Utica. He was born on March 19, 1922 on the feast of Saint Joseph, in the town of Columbia, son of the late Martin S. and Mary Hugick Sarafin. He was raised on the family dairy farm in Columbia and was educated in Richfield Springs. Joseph was a lifelong dairy farmer in the town of Columbia. He was known for being a strong, steady worker, undaunted by obstacles. Mr. Sarafin enjoyed telling stories of farming, powered first by horses, then tractors on steel. Blessed with keen senses, Joe appreciated the beautiful things that God created, especially the outdoors. In his leisure time he enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was also a patriot who loved freedom and supported veterans. As a member of Saint Joseph the Worker Parish in Richfield Springs, his belief in God never failed him. He began each day with prayer on his knees at his bedside, even after his knees had failed. Joe was also a sixty year member of the Herkimer Elks Lodge # 1439. Surviving are three brothers, Charles Sarafin of DeLand, FL, John Sarafin and his wife Clara of Herkimer and Paul Sarafin and his wife Linda of Jordanville, five, sisters, Marian Staruck and husband Steve of Jordanville, Martha Stark of East Herkimer, Katherine Kryszczuk of Utica, Genevieve Buddle and her husband Robert of Richfield Springs and Anna Szeflinski of Richfield Springs along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. Family members who passed before Joseph include his parents, two sisters Ida and Emma and three brothers, Stanley, Leon and Martin Sarafin. A Mass of Christian of Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 11:00 am in Saint Joseph the Worker Church, Richfield Springs. The Reverend Leo Potvin will officiate. Interment will follow in Saint Josephs Cemetery. The family will be present to receive relatives and friends in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James Street; Richfield Springs on Tuesday from 4:00 until 6:00 pm. Members of Herkimer Lodge # 1439 B.P.O.E. are asked to meet at the funeral home on Tuesday evening at 5:30 pm for ritualistic services. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the Cedarville Volunteer Fire Department. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.