Jim McCaffrey
March 4, 1926 - March 21, 2014
Jim McCaffrey
March 4, 1926 - March 21, 2014
James Edward McCaffrey passed away peacefully at home in Petaluma, CA, March 21, 2014 surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband for 63 years of Mary Corbett McCaffrey. Adored father of Christopher McCaffrey of Stockton and preceded in death by his children, Kathleen McCaffrey, James “Jeff” McCaffrey, Michael McCaffrey and Kimberly Nelson.
Loving father-in-law of Maria McCaffrey, Patricia McCaffrey and Thomas Nelson.
Cherished grandfather of Laura McCaffrey, Joan McCaffrey, Christopher McCaffrey, Ryan McCaffrey, Meghan McCaffrey, James Nelson and Kevin Nelson. Dear brother of Laurence McCaffrey and the late Jack McCaffrey. Brother-in-law of Patricia McCaffrey, Mary McCaffrey, Rev. Eugene Corbett SJ, Sister Kathleen Corbett CSJ, James Corbett DVM and Honoruth Corbett. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
A native of San Francisco, age 88 years, Jim graduated from St. Ignatius High School, attended St. Mary’s College and graduated from USF. A veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II, Jim enjoyed a 46 year career in the petroleum industry. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Petaluma Lodge #901 BPOE, Petaluma Golf & Country Club, Petaluma Rotary Club, Nicasio Parlor #183 NSGW, CA Independent Oil Marketers, Petroleum Marketers of America and was a past president of the Petaluma Chamber of Commerce.
Visitation will be held, Tuesday, March 25, 2014 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at Parent-Sorensen Mortuary & Crematory, 850 Keokuk St., Petaluma. The Vigil Service will be at 7:00 pm at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 35 Liberty St., Petaluma, CA. Family and friends are also invited to attend the Funeral Mass, Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at 11:00 am at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Committal will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Petaluma. The family prefer that memorials be made to St. Vincent de Paul Church or to your favorite charity.
Death Notice: Parent-Sorensen
Published - March 27, 2014
James Edward McCaffrey devoted his time to many organizations in Petaluma, including serving as president of the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce in 1970.
A native of San Francisco, McCaffrey died at his home in Petaluma on March 21, 2014. He was 88.
McCaffrey graduated from St. Ignatius High School, attended St. Mary’s College and graduated from the University of San Francisco. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, then had a 46 year career in the petroleum industry.
He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Petaluma Elks Lodge No. 901, Petaluma Golf & Country Club, Petaluma Rotary Club, Native Sons of the Golden West Nicasio Parlor No. 183, CA Independent Oil Marketers and Petroleum Marketers of America. McCaffrey is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Corbett McCaffrey; son, Christopher McCaffrey of Stockton; grandchildren; and a brother, Laurence McCaffrey. He was predeceased by his children, Kathleen McCaffrey, James “Jeff” McCaffrey, Michael McCaffrey and Kimberly Nelson; and brother, Jack McCaffrey.. Memorial services were held earlier this week. The family prefer that memorials be made to St. Vincent de Paul Church or to a favorite charity.
Here are extracts from recent Rota-Tellers which capture Jim's enthusiasm:
October 24, 2013: Next up was something new...Past Presidents will be asked to spend a few minutes giving us a “craft talk” on their year as president. Up first was Past President JIM McCAFFREY (1979-1980). JIM shared that he joined Rotary in 1958 in Portland, OR and our club in 1966. JIM was club president the second longest time back (Past President DAN LIBARLE taking the prize as the longest). JIM and Mary went to Rome before his tenure as president, making a great long vacation of it (the next president got to go someplace a lot closer to home!) and he noted we were a “different club” back then in many ways. Of course we all know it was a “men’s club” in those years (more like a “boys club” according to JIM!), with a total budget of around $4,500. Projects during his year included the All Day Breakfast (still this reporter’s all-time favorite event!), painting the stands at Petaluma High School and McNear Park, building the first bus transit stands in Petaluma, and hosting a children’s Christmas party at the Vet’s Hall (and giving in to a menu of hotdogs over turkey to please the kids!). He took some heat from old timers in the club for moving the meeting from the Petaluma Hotel to the Petaluma Golf and Country Club (sound familiar?) and member attendance in those years was 96-97%! JIM noted that he has always been devoted to Rotary and the club worked hard to meet its goals. He told us what he got out of Rotary were the dearest friends and most memorable experiences of his life. Thanks, PAST PRESIDENT JIM, for sharing some of the best of our club! August 1, 2013: JIM McCAFFREY delivered a two-part Thought for the Day. First were lines from Joaquin Miller’s poem in honor of "Burns and Byron": In men whom men condemn as ill He followed up the poetry with a traditional Irish blessing. May 2, 2013: PAST PRESIDENT JIM McCAFFREY led us in song, starting out with "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and then followed by "My Country Tis of Thee".
James E. McCaffrey
World War II veteran
I find so much of goodness still.
In men whom men pronounce divine
I find so much of sin and blot
I do not dare to draw a line
Between the two, where God has not.