Raphael 'Ray' McCaffrey

June of 1942 in New York City a great mind, kind soul and loving spirit was born to Raphael and Florence McCaffrey.  Raphael Paul McCaffrey "Ray" was raised in Corona Queens, New York, surrounded by an extended loving family.  He spent his summers making memories at the family’s ocean side home in Mastic Beach, Long Island.

Ray graduated from Xavier, a Jesuit high school, and continued on to St. John’s University earning a bachelor’s degree in Business.  While there he met Nancy whom he married in 1964; his Uncle Howard McCaffrey, a Jesuit priest conducted the marriage ceremony.  Ray joined the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War where he was mainly stationed in Germany.  Serving in the Air Force for six years, he attained the rank of Captain in the Strategic Air Command (SAC).  Ray and Nancy had two children together, Laura and Ray, and raised them on Long Island.

Ray then spent the next 25 years working as a U.S. Customs Inspector.  He worked at JFK Airport in New York, Toronto Pearson Airport in Canada, and finally at the Sweet Grass Border in Montana; retired 1995.

Ray’s first marriage ended, and in March of 1983, he married Janice Goodison.  He took on the challenge of lovingly raising her five children as his own.

He was an avid automobile enthusiast, especially fond of Fords.  In Europe, he organized drag races on the air base and drove in both drag races and hill climb events.  For many years he enjoyed spending time at Lime Rock Race Track in Connecticut.  For the past decade, including this past August, one of his greatest joys was attending Speed Week at Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.  Ray also was a fan of Lionel Trains as well as very knowledgeable about airplanes.

Ray was known as a man of high integrity who truly loved people.  With his keen Irish wit, creative story telling talents, and terrific sense of humor, he enlightened his friends’ and family’s lives.  Growing up with his Italian mother and grandparents influenced his appreciation of great food, but even more his enjoyment of feeding others.

Jesus Christ is Ray’s Lord and Savior.  Ray was always willing to help and support those in need around him.  He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where he will be remembered as "The Candy Man". His many selfless acts of kindness and service to others reflected his following of Christ. He was blessed with the close support of many life-long faithful friends. He was a loving and kind grandfather who was very involved in his grandchildren’s lives, always making them feel special and loved.

Ray McCaffrey died suddenly at the age of 71 on September 18, 2013 in Montana while fighting a recent recurrence of cancer.

He is survived by his daughter, Laura of Eastchester, New York; son, Ray and his wife Naomi of Long Island, New York; wife, Janice; brother, John and his wife Aleta of West Virginia; step-children, Bonnie Trush of Washington D.C., Bradley (Debra) Bates of Spanish Fork, Utah, Brenda (Mike) Spearman of Stansbury Park, Utah, Dena (Will) Richardson of San Rafael, California,  Dianna (Jeremy) Lybbert of Coram, Montana; 14 grandchildren; as well as nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Robert.

Services will be Friday, September 27, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Shelby, with the visitation from 4:00 to 6:00 pm and the funeral service beginning at 6 pm with dinner immediately following.  Funeral arrangements provided by Whitted Funeral Chapel.

Inurnment will be at Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton Long Island, N.Y.

The Family requests that you pray and be kind to others, and that you forgive someone, in Ray’s honor. Donations can be made to Disabled American Veterans or an animal rescue organization.