John Thomas Iafrate

John Thomas Iafrate, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2024, in Delray Beach, Florida, surrounded by his loving wife and friends. John was born on February 18, 1950, in Schenectady, New York, and leaves behind a long legacy of warmth, humor, long lasting relationships and extremely hard work. John's early years were marked by his passion for baseball, which he pursued avidly during his time at Bishop Gibbons High School in Schenectady. Following his graduation, John enlisted in the US Navy, where he served his country with honor as a P03 Class cook stationed in Eleuthera, Bahamas. After his military service, John returned to civilian life and embarked on a series of successful careers. He ran a thriving carpet cleaning business for over 30 years, Magic Carpet, both in Schenectady, NY, and Charlotte, NC, where he eventually relocated his family in 1995. Prior to carpet cleaning, John also worked as a welder for Conrail in New Jersey. In his later years, John fulfilled his dream of owning a restaurant, Broadway John's, in Indian Trail, NC and found fulfillment working for Orkin Pest Control until his well-deserved retirement in 2021. Throughout his varied occupations, John's dedication, humor, and personable nature endeared him to all who knew him. Beyond his professional accomplishments, John cherished his family above all else. He was a devoted husband to Carol, a loving father to Laura, John, and Richard, and a cherished father-in-law to Michael and Jaclyn. His greatest joy came from being a grandfather to Mykelanne, Gianna, Addison, Evangeline, Antonio, and Autumn, who brought endless laughter, pride and happiness into his life. John will be remembered for his infectious laughter, quick wit, and unwavering love for his family and friends. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, resilience, and a deep commitment to those he held dear. Though he will be deeply missed, his memory will forever live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him. A celebration of John's life will be held at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Charlotte, NC on February 22 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of John to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, so that a cure and/or treatments to prolong life for sufferers of this terrible disease can be found. Rest in peace, John. Your presence will be deeply missed, but your spirit will continue to inspire us all.