Obituary of Jose Efrain Grajeda-Escobar

On the early afternoon of Sunday November 3rd, 2019 at Holy Name Hospital,

Teaneck New Jersey, José Efraín Grajeda Escobar of North Bergen, passed to the

presence of The Lord surrounded by his loved ones. He was 78. Born in Guatemala,

Central America.

He visited the United States on several occasions by the 1970s. It was until 1988

that he fully immigrated to the United States, first living in New York with his beloved

wife Sarita and one year later their three children joined them and settled in North

Bergen, NJ. In 2004 he became a US Citizen. José was always grateful for the

opportunity to work and build a better life for his family in this country. He worked

throughout his life as a tailor, working in the embroidery world at several companies, to

name a few: Brooks Brothers, American Fabrics, Robinson

Anton.

José was known for his long entertaining stories, which he loved to repeat often.

He was blessed to talk about the Word of God, always careful to teach sound doctrine,

the Bible. He also talked about history in general and his life experiences. Among other

things, he enjoyed cooking, eating hot peppers, avocado, soups and seafood. Also he

loved farming, reading and fixing whatever possible he could with his old fashioned

sewer machine, specially he enjoyed fixing his grandchildren’s stuffed animals and

clothes. He was a handyman taking things apart and put them back together. He was

loved and sought by his neighbors for his kindness, skills and abilities.

In 1966 he married Sara Bernal and together raised three children: Efraín

Antonio, Sara “Frances” and Xiomara. In Guatemala José trained at IBCA Bible

Institute and started working in the ministry side by side with his Father-in-law Antonio

Bernal evangelizing large communities and planting several Christian congregations

that are fruitful until this day. José was a God fearing man. He is dearly missed by his

loved ones, who celebrate the fact that he is at peace with his Creator.

José was predeceased by his father, Vicente, mother, Maria and beloved son

Efraín Antonio. He is survived by his wife Sarita, two daughters, Sara “Frances” and

Xiomara and her husband Jorge Guardado, daughter-in-law Lynda Grajeda of Monroe

Township, two brothers, Francisco from Nashville Tennessee, Fidel, and sister

Cornelia from Guatemala City; three grandchildren, Isabel, Omar and Antonio, and

several cousins, nieces, nephews, a large extended family in the United States and

Guatemala and friends.

The family will receive their friends on Monday November 11th, from

5:00-9:00PM at the Frank A. Patti and Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Home 327 Main

Street Fort Lee, NJ “opposite the Fort Lee Library”. The funeral service will take place

on Tuesday November 12th in the Frank A. Patti & Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Home

at 10:00 AM. The burial will take place immediately following the service at the Holy

Cross Burial Park and Mausoleum, 840 Cranbury South River Road, Jamesburg NJ,

08831

For condolences, directions, or information www.frankpatti.com or call (201)

944-0100.