Bill Kaufman, 83, went home to his creator, rejoining loved ones that went before him June 22, 2021 after a valiant fight with lung cancer. Born in New York, N.Y. to Raymond Kaufman and Doris Shayne Bock, he was a New Yorker most of his life. Raised by his Aunt Beatrice Shayne Cook, he was a graduate of Danbury High School, Connecticut. He was a U.S. Army veteran, medic and paratrooper who served in the famed 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Bill lived in Pawling, N.Y. and worked at Barden Corporation in Danbury, co-leading night-shift production when he was called to a lifetime of service in medicine. He was an RN graduate of Helene Fuld College of Nursing at the Hospital for Joint Diseases, and attended Anesthesia School at the Harlem Hospital. He proudly served the community as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist at many New York hospitals, including Our Lady of Mercy and Jacobi Medical Center. He retained an active license as a Board Certified Registered Nurse and, even as an octogenarian, was invited to return to duty during the COVID Pandemic.
Familiarly known as Bill K or Mr. Bill to friends and family, he was predeceased by his parents, beloved Aunt Bebe, his Aunt Clara Bain Platt, and first wife and fellow nurse, Nancy Nikola Kaufman Baker. Bill is survived by his wife, Melinda Cleofe Kaufman, of Morris Park neighborhood, Bronx, NY.; brother retired Army Col. Ray Kaufman and sister-in-law Lorry, of Litchfield, Connecticut; and children, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Derek (Debbie) Kaufman, Dayton, Ohio; Stacey Kaufman (Michael) Villegas, Chesapeake, Virginia; Katrina Kaufman (Roger) Gore, Millbrook, N.Y.; retired Sgt. Virginia State Police Keith C. Kaufman, Dallas, Texas; Ken Castro, Bronx, N.Y.; Cyril-Abigale (Jeames) Castillo, Bronx, N.Y.; and RJae Castro and his fiancé Mei, Queens, N.Y. His grandchildren include Bryant, Chelsea, Trudy, Catherine, Zak, Jake, Branden, Ryan, and great granddaughter, Ozzi Jo.
Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance on Sunday, June 27, 2:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a service at 5 p.m., at John Dormi & Sons Funeral Home, 1121 Morris Park Ave., Bronx, N.Y. At the request of family, please refrain from sending flowers.
My beloved father entered the Gates of Heaven where he joined all our beloved family members who passed before and always always loved him.
Until I see you again, I love and will miss you dad
Keith I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
My deepest condolences to you n your family, Melinda! May Bill Rest In Peace.
Loved you like a real father Mr. Bill. I will remember all the lessons you have taught me and thank you again for everything. Until we meet again !
Remembering Bill fondly for all the years we worked together at Our Lady Of Mercy. He had such a big heart. Bill and all his family are in my thoughts and prayers at this sad time. May happy memories bring comfort.
Keith,
I am so sorry to hear the loss of your father. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
I was a PACU nurse and had the privilege of working with Bill in Jacobi . During some nights that OR was not busy Bill would come in PACU and we would have long talks and we became good friends . He was smart, hardworking and most of all a very good person. He was always ready to lean a hand without expecting anything in return. A selfless man and a true friend.
God grant him eternal rest. Bill ,You will never be forgotten .
Keith,
I’m sorry to hear about your Dad. The written tribute on here describes his life so beautifully. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Keith, sorry for your loss brother! My condolences to you and your family.
Rest In Peace my brother.
Bill is a very nice man, easy to get along. He’ll be missed by his friends. May his soul and the souls of all the departed eternally rest in peace.
To our beloved Tito Bill, you surely are going to be missed. Rest In Peace. We love you !
I’ve known Bill for almost 20 years, and he was such a great friend and wonderful colleague. He had shown me nothing but kindness. Bill, thank you for being a part of my family. You will be greatly missed! May you rest in peace, my dear friend….
Mr Bill was a lovely and pleasant gentleman who i had the privilege and opportunity to work with at Jacobi medical center.I pray for God’s touch over the families at this time.
May his soul rest in peace amen
May you rest in peace Mr. Bill, you will always be fondly remembered.
Have the biggest heart and always a very good friend of mine!