Joseph Naef

Joseph Frederick Naef, 84, of Missoula, passed away peacefully in his sleep Thursday, March 12, 2015, in his home.

Joe was born on Sept. 2, 1930, in New York City to Joe and Mary Naef. Shortly after high school, his cousin introduced him to her friend, Mary Aquilina, his future wife. They were married May 3, 1952, at St. Catherine's of Sienna Catholic Church.

In 1953, he moved to Southern California, first to Compton and then in 1955 to Santa Fe Springs, where he was active in the Knights of Columbus and the Legion of Mary. He owned his own business, J & M Sewing Machine Co., where he sold and leased industrial sewing machines in the garment district of Los Angeles.

Thousand Oaks, California, became his home in 1972. There he became active in the church's jail ministry, where he would visit and counsel prisoners. In 2004, he moved to Missoula, then Henderson, Nevada, in 2006, and finally back to Missoula in 2010.

His family and friends remember him for his honesty and integrity, a passion for reaching out to the underdog, and his terrific, dry sense of humor. He enjoyed carpentry, pool and drawing. He is survived by his wife, Mary; his sons, Bob (Bev), Ken and Dan (Beth); his daughters, Mary Huffman (Roger) and Cathy Naef; his grandchildren, Kelly, Chris (Jen), Jason, Devin, Ryan, Mary Jennifer, Katy, Sarah, Laura Parker (Shaun), Kristina, Taylor Robins and Kevyn Robins; and five great-grandchildren.

There will be a vigil Friday, March 27, at 7 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church in Missoula. A funeral service will be held at Christ the King on Saturday, March 28, at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Partners in Home Health Care Hospice of Missoula.
Read Joseph Naef's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.