Professor Robert Joseph Orfaly

Robert was born in Brooklyn, NY on September 7th, 1939, and passed peacefully in his sleep on June 25th, 2026, in Las Vegas. He was the beloved son of Benjamin and Antoinette (Giraud) Orfaly and the beloved grandson of Abraham and Adelle Orfaly. He is survived by his wife Heather (Choueiri), son Marc Orfaly, wife Sandy and granddaughter Lilah, son Alex, wife Nicole and grandson Araz, nephew Bennett Orfaly, sister Mary Sayad (late husband Elias), niece Marylou, nephew Louis and niece Judy. Also, his Uncle Nick who went back home to Syria for medical treatment before Robert was born and tragically was never heard from again. But through family lore, Robert and Heather felt a strong spiritual bond with him and always felt he belonged in remembrance alongside the family. He attended Our Lady of Angels Grammar School in Brooklyn. Then high school in New Jersey. He joined the Unted Stated Army in 1960 and was stationed at Ft. Meade, Maryland assigned to the highly prestigious “Early Warning” team. He was honorably discharged two years later. After his service, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University then his master’s degree in communications from the University of Maryland graduating with honors. He moved to Boston and was a professor of communications at Grahm College. He was very proud of his Armenian and Syrian background and was very active in their churches and community groups. During those years he married and had two sons, Marc and Alex. He had a passion for music which came from his grandfather and father, both musicians. Robert loved to play the drums and did so in the army band but primarily played the middle eastern durbukeh drum which he learned from anh early age. Throughout his life he played at church functions and festive gatherings. He passed this on to his two sons who both became concert musicians early in their lives. Most often the three would perform together at numerous events throughout the New England area. His love of music was known to all. Whether attending a middle eastern gathering, a Spanish Flamenco event, a big band orchestra or an Armenian gala or commemoration with the melodic and beautiful violin of Maestro Harry. Wherever there was music, the professor was not far away. He moved to San Diego from Boston where he and his beloved wife Heather married on October 8th, 1989. They had known each other for many years through church and numerous family and community gatherings back in Boston. They later moved to Los Angeles, then Hawaii and eventually settled in Las Vegas in 1994. As both were artists and designers and worked together designing for such companies as NYNY and MGM Casinos and the Hofbrauhaus House Restaurant. But they were most proud of their benevolent work and designs they made from their hearts for St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church (Las Vegas), St. Sharbel Lebanese Maronite Catholic Church (Las Vegas) and Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church (SSPX) (Las Vegas). Throughout his life, Robert, or as he was affectionately known as “The Professor” dedicated much of his life to helping others before himself. Those who knew him were always intrigued by the body of knowledge that he had in most subjects. Art, religion, music, business, international affairs, and so forth. The professor was always ready, willing and more than able to teach and guide anyone in need and the only thing he asked in return was to hear that some of his wisdom and counsel had been of benefit to them. As most of you know he was quite entrepreneurial. One of his accomplishments was owning and operating a fine arts gallery in Brooklyn, NY. Then later an international electronics distribution company in Boston and then started Orfaly and Associates which was one of the first companies in New England to use the high-speed global communications network of the day called the TELEX System with his moniker being the ORFABOSS. Through most of the past forty years he and Heather spent most of their days together. Their business, R & H Design of Las Vegas, was their passion. Whether working in sacred or secular realms, they worked side by side creating beautiful designs and more importantly lasting memories for clients, friends and family. One of the professor’s most cherished accomplishments was organizing the Las Vegas World Trade Center Expedition, a team of police officers and civilians he assembled and sent to the World Trade Center to assistance in the recovery efforts after 9-11. With wife Heather as the assistant project director and brother-in law Bruno who led the team during the mission in New York. The professor felt an obligation to his hometown to aid in any way he could and was very proud of the fact that it was strictly a grassroots effort with no government money requested or received. He was recognized for his efforts by President George W. Bush, James Molinaro, then Staten Island Borough President and the NYPD Commissioners Office. Later, he and wife Heather began their most heartfelt endeavor which was the creation of the portrait “Path of Terror and Tears” commemorating the horrific Armenian Genocide. Nothing was nearer or dearer to his heart than joining with the community to let the world know this overwhelming tragedy and to respectfully commemorate it and honor all the millions of victims and their families. Professor Robert, you will be greatly missed, but we thank GOD for all the memories, love and care you gave us and all the lessons, guidance and experiences you shared with us. “Au revoir a la prochaine”. ….. “Until we meet again”. Las Vegas church service will at St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church 2054 E. Desert Inn Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89169 on Wed. July 15. Viewing from 1pm-2:30pm and Mass at 2:30pm. Mercy meal will be at the Shish Kebob House Restaurant 6620 West Flamingo Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89103 New York funeral service will be on Fri. July 24. The viewing and prayer will be at the Kennedy and Roth Funeral Home 41–40 5 58th St. Woodside (Queens), NY 11377 at 10AM. The funeral will be at 12:30PM at Calvary Cemetery, 49-02 Laurel HI Blvd. Woodside, NY 11377. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to: St. Garabed’s Armenian Church 2054 E. Desert Inn Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89169.

Professor Robert Joseph Orfaly

September 7, 1939 - June 25, 2026