Obituary of Joseph E. Saphire

Joseph E. Saphire, 61, of Lawrenceville, NJ passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2019.

Mr. Saphire was born in Newark, NJ. He resided in Lawrenceville with his wife and family for 34 years. He graduated from Saint John Vianney High School in Holmdel, NJ. He went on to receive his BA and BArch from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. He earned his architecture license while working at Harrison Fraker Architects and Princeton Energy Group in Princeton, NJ. He went on to become licensed to practice architecture in New Jersey and surrounding states. He began his own practice, Saphire Architects in 1986. He was joined by his partner and dear friend Edwin Albarran in Princeton. Much of his work has been in Medical Care and Places of Worship, including Saint Ann’s Church in Lawrenceville where he has been a parishioner with his family for 34 years. He has been incredibly conscious of creating a warm, comforting space for people in need of care. Joe served as President of the Board on the Millhill Child and Family Development Center. The staff and children there have been near and dear to his heart since he began there in his late 20’s. He has served them well, both personally and through his architecture business.

One of Joe’s greatest joys was coaching. He worked with hundreds of children and families through Lawrence-Hamnett Soccer Clubs, baseball, and softball in Lawrence Township, and remained close to many of them over the years. The children that he has coached have become strong, successful adults who still come around to show support and get big hugs from Coach Joe. He was always generous with his hugs.  In his spare time, Joe loved cooking, talking about cooking, and sharing his table with his dear friends. In recent years, he rebuilt and expanded his kitchen to be an open meeting place, the heart of the house. He loved to spend time there and prepare food with family and friends. Joe’s enormous community has been a phenomenal support in the last nine months. He has felt very, very blessed.  Joe enjoyed his beach vacations to the Jersey Shore every summer, at first with extended family and lately with his growing clan. Joe was so incredibly proud of his grown children. Spending time with them, and eventually his grandchildren, gave Joe his greatest joys. He loved playing ball, cooking and drawing with them at every chance. He saw his children grow into strong, noble, compassionate adults. They are a beautiful tribute to him.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years and High School sweetheart, Kathleen McQuarrie Saphire. Best friends in youth, soulmates through life, together they created a foundation on which a legacy of love was built. In addition to beloved husband, Joe was also a son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He is survived by his dear Mother and Father, Gilda and Emil Saphire, of Lakewood, NJ; his parents-in-law, Don & Virginia McQuarrie, of Matawan; his son, Joseph and wife, Claire (Northampton, MA); his son Christopher and wife, Claire (Manhattan, NY); his daughter, Jessica and son-in-law Brian Frankowski (Ambler, PA); and his daughter, Katherine (Waltham, MA). Five beautiful grandchildren, Olivia, Matilda, Dylan, Anita and Theo, adored their “Poppy,” and will forever keep him in their hearts.  Joe is also survived by two sisters, whom he loved all of his life. Lynn Saphire Klionsky and her wife, Alyson Parker; and Lisa Saphire McGonigle and her husband Michael (Cherry Hill). He was also grateful for the love and support of his second family, the McQuarries of Matawan, John & Kerry McQuarrie (Lawrence, NJ); Brian & Tricia McQuarrie (Palermo, NJ); Joseph & Kathleen McQuarrie (Lawrence, NJ); Frank & Kelly McQuarrie (Freehold NJ); Terry & Rich Lisk (Lawrence, NJ); Karen & Todd Engel (Freehold, NJ); and so many dear nieces and nephews who have all loved and supported us in this difficult time. TO them, Uncle Joe loves you all so much.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday morning at 10AM at The Church of St. Ann 1253 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.

Interment will be private

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, December 16, 2019 from 2-4 & 6-8PM at The Church of St. Ann.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Joe’s beloved Millhill Child and Family Development Center 101 Oakland Street, Trenton, NJ 08618.