Obituary of Joseph James Wolfe

Joseph James Wolfe, age 68, passed away on Saturday, July 25, 2020 at his home in San Diego in the company of loved ones.   He was born on March 31, 1952 in Buffalo, NY to Joseph and Barbara (Vroman) Wolfe.  A member of the 1970 graduating class of Bennett High School, Joe went on to earn his Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy from Erie Community College.  As a Registered Respiratory Therapist, he had a life long career caring for and assisting patients, with their most basic biological need, the ability to breathe.   Over the course of his career, Joe worked in Buffalo, Virginia, Saudi Arabia and finally in San Diego bringing his knowledge and compassionate spirit to patients and colleagues alike.

In 1970 Joe married Mary Lou Dudziak with whom he had five children, Jonathan, Monica, Alison, Christopher and the late Amanda.  Joe met his current wife, Nela Dasalla Wolfe in Saudi Arabia where she, a nurse from the Philippines and Joe were working together in the neo-natal nursery.  They were together as a loving couple for 27 years.

From a young age Joe was fascinated with nature, particularly reptiles, amphibians and houseplants.   As a boy he maintained is own “zoo” of creatures in the basement of the house much to the chagrin of the landlord.  As an adult he always was caring for a wide variety of houseplants and up to a few weeks before his passing he was host to two large painted turtles at his San Diego home.  Joe also had a deep love of music.  He was particularly inspired by the music of Beatles, which his daughter, Monica played for him continually in the days before his death.  He was both a musician and a songwriter.  Joe composed literally hundreds of songs, which he recorded at his home studio.  He enjoyed bicycling, playing tennis and traveling.   Besides his trips between Saudi Arabia and various destinations in the USA to see family, Joe visited the Philippines, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Bangladesh, Dubai and England just to mention a few, always carefully documenting each trip, mile by mile on his video camera.  Joe loved life and participated in it fully even as he sought to serve others in his medical profession.

He is survived by his mother, Barbara Wolfe Helpern; his beloved wife Nela; his sons, Jonathan (Kira) and Christopher (Courtney) and his daughters, Monica and Alison (Chris) Avery and 7 grandchildren; his brother, Gary (Linda) and his sisters, Laura (Rubin) Perrott, Barbra Graff and Leah Helpern along with 7 nieces and nephews. Also left behind his stepdaughters Marigold April, and Margaux Venus and stepson Migñon Chrix (Aister). Joe was preceded in death by his father Joseph and his dear daughter Amanda.

Viewing will take place at San Diego Central Seventh Day Adventist Church, 13940 Pomerado Rd, Poway, CA 92064 from 5:00 to 6:00PM Pacific Time followed by Services from 6:00 to 7:00PM   Family and friends may watch the service online by typing this link into your browser: https://livestream.com/sdcsda. An additional celebration of Joe’s life will take place in Buffalo, NY prior to interment at the family’s convenience on a date to be announced.