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.
