WILLIAMSBURG — On October 1, 2021, Dr. Jose A. Erfe, loving husband and father of two children, passed peacefully at the age of 83 in his home in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Jose was born on December 1, 1937 in Agoo, La Union Philippines to Pedro and Mauricia Erfe. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of the Philippines in 1962 at the age of 24. Jose’s career spanned 50 years as a Board Certified Psychiatrist and his positions included; Medical Director, Proctor and Gamble Philippines, Resident, Eastern State Hospital, Assistant Director, Western State Hospital, Director, Central State Hospital and Medical Director, Colonial Community Mental Health Center (now Colonial Behavioral Health). In addition to his long career in public mental health, Jose opened his own private practice in 1986 where he helped countless lives. On March 1, 1964, he married Purita Fangonilo and in September, 1969, they immigrated to the United States with their two children, Elizabeth and Joseph. Jose loved watching sports, reading history, listening to classical music and attending the American Psychiatric Association meetings with his wife.
Jose was preceded in death by his mother, Mauricia; his father, Pedro; and his younger brother, Paulino. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Purita; his two children, Elizabeth Erfe-Howard and Joseph F. Erfe; his grandson, Joseph W. Erfe; and his sisters, Soledad Desquitado and Monica Tejada.
Visitation will be held at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd. on (date/time). Funeral Mass and internment of ashes will be held at St. Bede’s Catholic Church, 3686 Ironbound Rd. on (date/time).
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in the memory of Dr. Jose Erfe to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), 4301 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22203 (www.nami.org).
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com for the Erfe family.