Obituary of Thomas F. Rafftery

Beloved Dad, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa Age 95, of St Paul died peacefully on December 2, 2014. Preceded in death by beloved wife of 63 years, Jean; sister, Virginia Bilek; brothers, Ed and Jim. Survived by Daughters, Kathy (Steve) O'Connell of Montevideo MN, Peggy (Gene) McCracken of Gallina NM and Patty (Tim Meath) of St Paul; grandchildren, Therese (Jerry) Scharrer, Shawn and Colleen O'Connell, Eric (Beth) and Matt(Jamie) McCracken; great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Emily, Lily, Mason, Dylan, Caleb and Jack. He will also be greatly missed by his nieces and nephews; cousin, Don; friends old and new and granddog Baily. He was known for his sense of humor and classic one liners.Tom was a soldier from 1941-1945, serving as an ambulance driver in Co B 3rd Medical Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division, US Army, earning a bronze star in Anzio. After his service he returned to being a printer at Curtis 1000 where he would work his entire career until retiring in 1981. Tom and Jean married in 1946 and raised their girls in St Paul. Tom was active in the American Legion (Hillcrest post), VFW and the Knights of Columbus. He loved to bowl and was president of the Greater St Paul Bowling Association in the late 60's. He also loved to play cards, especially 500, fish, and took up golf as he neared retirement. They moved to Bella Vista AR in 1985, where they spent 20 happy years and made many friends. In 2005 Tom and Jean moved to Boutwell's Landing in Stillwater, where Jean passed away in 2009. A year after Jean's death, Tom moved to The Heritage at Lyngblomsten and just recently moved to Gracewood Senior Living. Service 10:30 AM Monday, December 8 at Lyngblomsten Care Center, 1415 Almond Ave. St. Paul. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Visitation at Willwerscheid Funeral Home, 1167 Grand Ave., St. Paul 3-7 Sunday and at Lyngblomsten ½ hour prior to service. We would like to thank the staff at Lyngblomsten and Gracewood for the love and care they showed dad. Memorials preferred to Feed My Starving Children: fmsc.org