Lyonel Marvin Joffre

Lyonel Marvin Joffre passed away Aug. 14, 2019, at his home surrounded by his immediate family. Lyonel was born July 6, 1934, in Atlanta, to Sidney and Jane Joffre, who immigrated to Atlanta from Russia in 1921. He grew up in Atlanta, attending Smiley Grammar School and later graduating Grady High School. He then went on to attend the University of Alabama (where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu), Georgia Tech and graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in accounting.

Shortly after high school, Lyonel married the love of his life and his high school sweetheart, Phyllis Rachelson. Following their wedding in Atlanta, he was deployed by the U.S. Army to Europe, where he and Phyllis stayed for two years. After returning to Atlanta, they started a family and Lyonel pursued a career in accounting.

Professionally, he worked as a CPA at Young Garber, later becoming a partner at Touche Ross and Company, and then owning Georgian Art Lighting Design and Boulevard Lighting.

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Lyonel loved to travel with his family and he was fortunate to have traveled the world. His greatest love in life was family and his grandchildren, as he was an avid participant in their lives, from driving carpool to watching them play sports and experiencing milestones together.

Lyonel had a keen sense of humor, did not know a stranger, and made those around him feel important. His kindness was bigger than life and he gave from the heart until the end. He was known for his beautiful curly hair, piercing blue eyes, and a smile that was second to none.

Lyonel was active in many organizations, including being past president of the Atlanta Lodge of B’nai B’rith, a member of the education committee of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Margaret Mitchell Association and a member of Leadership Atlanta class of 1977.

Throughout the years, he was known to many as Coach Joffre as he coached basketball teams throughout the years at the Atlanta Jewish Community Center.

Lyonel is predeceased in death by his parents Sidney and Jane Joffre and his sister Patsy Weinman. In addition to Phyllis (his wife of 65 years), he will be dearly missed by his children Robyn (Wes) Gaillard, Steven (Nancy) Joffre and Julie (Mark) Benveniste and grandchildren Rebecca and Sam Gaillard, Sydney and Haley Joffre, and Ali, Micah, Maci and Eli Benveniste.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Chabad of Gwinnett, The Epstein School, The Davis Academy, or a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.