Obituary of Joseph R. Luft

Joseph (Joe) Raymond Luft, beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on April 25, 2025. He was born in Amsterdam, New York, to his loving parents James and Angeline Luft on November 27, 1963. He graduated from Canajoharie High School in 1981 and attended D’Youville University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1985.

Joe built his career working at the Hauptman-Woodward Research Institute in Buffalo, NY. He worked tirelessly as a senior research scientist in structural biology, crystallization, biochemistry, biotechnology, and x-ray diffraction. During his over 30 years of work, his collaborative research resulted in 87 peer-reviewed publications, 11 book chapters, and two patents, with more than 2,400 citations.

Outside of the lab, Joe was a passionate and talented musician. He spent a lifetime building a beautiful collection of acoustic and electric guitars that he loved to play and learn on. He was eager to learn new skills and often sought support from fellow musicians he held in high regard. Along with his love of playing guitar, he enjoyed listening to various artists, particularly Tom Petty. He would attend musical performances often, sharing his love of the arts with those closest to him.

He spent thirty years with his devoted wife, Karen Luft (Stoffer), and was a loving father to their wonderful daughter, Charlotte Luft. Joe is also survived by his parents, James and Angeline Luft, two younger sisters, Angela (Jack) Miller, and Jennifer (Dale) Shults, as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. All of whom will miss him deeply. He was preceded in death by his late grandparents, Raymond and Clara Luft, and Joseph and Mary Lupo, with whom he shared a lifelong bond.

A Funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 1st, at 11 a.m. at the chapel of Houghtaling and Hanley Funeral Home, with burial to follow at St. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Cemetery. The

The family will receive visitors for calling hours on Wednesday, April 30th, from 4-7 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made in his name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, a disease he managed for most of his life.