Ross Garifo

Ross Joseph Garifo, 95, of Concord, NC, died after a short illness on Wednesday, September 16 at Atrium Health-Cabarrus.

He was born in Watertown, NY, in 1931. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Mary Verne Garifo. 

Ross returned to the cooler weather of his childhood home in Watertown every summer. Mr. Garifo served in the Navy from 1951-54, during the Korean War. On his return he entered college on the G.I Bill and earned a degree in electronics. He gained employment at International Business Machines in1957 at the original Endicott, NY, location.

In 1959 he married the love of his life, Margaret Elizabeth(Peg) Tidd. They spent 52 years together, as best friends, partners, and parents until her death in 2010. Ross brought his family to Charlotte, NC, in 1979 where he worked on site to establish the IBM flagship development laboratory and manufacturing complex. Ross worked as an IBM electronics engineer on the NASA space program and spent several months in the Far East, assisting with new plant operations and employee training inTaiwan. He celebrated his IBM retirement in 1989 after 30 years with the company. He remained connected with his IBM contemporaries throughout his life. They came together annually for the winter months in Oak Hill, FL. Ross was a member of the Catholic Church from childhood. He attended mass every week, in Concord, while in Watertown, and also in Oak Hill, FL. He was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a founding member of the Concord charter of the Knights. 

Ross and Peg were blessed with 5 sons: Ross, who preceded them in death in 2003; his twin brother Russel(Nicola Stevens); Phillip(Melissa); and Christopher(Tammy). Another son, Gregory, died shortly after birth. Ross was also preceded in death by his brother, Nick and Eleanor, Nick's wife. Surviving family, grandchildren: Craig, his wife Jennifer, and children Sophia, Bradley, and Jack, of Raleigh, NC; Amanda Garifo VaLeu and daughters, Haven and Graelynn of New Bern, NC; Joseph Garifo and his wife, "Becky" of Garner, NC; Elizabeth Garifo Williams, and husband Ben, of Hickory, NC; and Patrick Garifo of Concord; also, nieces: Martha Garifo O'Keefe(Michael), Angie Garifo Nelson(Douglas), and nephews: Steven Garifo(Anita), and Jeffrey Garifo(Gayle), and their families.

A service to honor Ross Joseph Garifo will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026 at St. James the Greater Catholic Church,139 Manor Avenue SW Concord, NC 28025. Family will receive friends at 12:30 p.m. with the service to follow at 1:00 pm.