Onofre (Taffy) Tafoya

Onofre (Taffy) Tafoya

Onofre (Taffy) Tafoya passed away peacefully on February 23, 2019 in his beloved home in Mammoth, AZ, surrounded by his family.  Onofre was born in Winslow on April 8, 1929.  He is the eldest of 6 siblings.  A World War II veteran, he voluntarily enlisted in the Navy on March 23, 1944 and was honorably discharged on April 7, 1947, he loved serving in the Navy.  Moving from Prescott to Phoenix to San Manuel (1956 to begin working underground at Magma copper mine where he was employed for over 38 years) and finally Mammoth (1970).

Onofre Tafoya will be greatly missed by all.  He was deeply committed to his family and loved his friends and neighbors.  He had a very strong work ethic, so true of those belonging to “The Greatest Generation”.  He was an avid reader (his personal library consisting of hundreds of books), loved mining (he authored two books, “Mother Magma” and “Los Mineros”), loved traveling (visited Eqypt, Israel and China), loved gardening and taking care of his fig trees, loved people, loved spending money on people, loved going to Tucson, Loved Life!!

Onofre is preceded in death by his Spouse of 39 years, Armelina Brito Tafoya; Daughter, Susan Arroyo and Granddaughter Cynthia Bernal; Parents Inez and Cecilio Tafoya, Sr;  Brothers Cecilio Tafoya, Jr, Walter Tafoya and Sister-in-Law, Oralia Tafoya.  He is survived by his three sisters, Gloria, Mary, Ruthie and by his Wife of 16 years, Peizhang (Allison) Tafoya, his children, Victoria Fernandez, Inez Ontiveros, Dolores Tafoya (Bob Escobedo), Martin Tafoya (Joy), Ricardo Tafoya (Nikkie), Sonia Tafoya and Step-daughter Shelley Wang (Evan); 24 Grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren, 13 Great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.