By Town Crier Staff Report
 Mr. Ghaffari |
Firooz Ghaffari, a former president of the Rotary Club of Los Altos and an active community volunteer, died April 29 at his home in Los Altos. Mr. Ghaffari was 63.
Mr. Ghaffari had been battling colon cancer that had metastasized for the past year.
Born March 19, 1943, in Tabriz, Iran, Mr. Ghaffari earned a doctorate in chemistry from Texas A&M University. He enjoyed successful careers as a chemistry professor and owner/president of a commercial printing and graphics company.
‘His professionalism in graphics is obvious in two hard-cover books he printed for us,” said Paul Nyberg, publisher. “‘Portrait of a Community’ and the coffee-table book ‘Paint the Town’ came off his presses in Sunnvale. Both are classics for Los Altans.”
In addition, he was an active member and past president of the Los Altos Rotary Club. During his presidency in 2001-2002, he was passionate about obtaining a greater sense of recognition for the various nations and their cultures.
He was also involved with the Los Altos and Sunnyvale chambers of commerce.
Mr. Ghaffari enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, gardening, brisk walking and traveling.
“He will always be remembered for his positive attitude and sense of humor,” said his son, Farshad.
Los Altos resident and Rotarian Bob Adams, who has known Mr. Ghaffari for 20 years, described his friend as “an extremely caring person who always followed through on his commitments.”
Family was a high priority for Mr. Ghaffari, who with his wife of 40 years, Giti, raised three children. The Ghaffaris have lived in Los Altos 28 years.
Those who knew him seldom saw him anything less than upbeat. “He always had a smile on his face,” Adams said.
In addition to Giti, Mr. Ghaffari is survived by Bob Ghaffari of Los Altos; Shoaleh Ghaffari and Farshad Ghaffari of San Francisco; a daughter-in-law, Orchid Ghaffari; and three grandchildren.
A memorial service is scheduled 3-5 p.m. Thursday at the Crowne Plaza Cabaña Hotel in Palo Alto.
