John Patrick Wrafter

1933 - 2015

ONEIDA >> John Patrick Wrafter, 81, of Oneida, went peacefully to the Lord on Sunday, March 8 surrounded by his loving family.
John was born Sept. 1, 1933 and grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., a son of the late Patrick Joseph and Isabel McWilliams Wrafter. John was a 1955 graduate of Fordham University, majoring in accounting. John was a Commissioned Officer LTJG in the US Navy 1955-1959, serving on the USS Guardian (YAGR-1). John was united in marriage with Loretta Marie Parry on May 4, 1963, a blessed union of 37 years until Loretta's passing on Nov. 24, 2000.
A Certified Internal Auditor, John began his accounting career in the US General Accounting Office in New York City before becoming Director of the GAO's Syracuse, N.Y. office. In 1972, John transferred to the NYS Comptroller Office and Department of Social Services where he was the Director of Audits & Investigations of the Medicaid Program until his retirement in 1995. The NY Capital Chapter Association of Government Accountants awarded John the honorary title of President Emeritus in 1997 in recognition of his efforts as a founder of the chapter and its first president. Also at that time the "John P. Wrafter Distinguished Service Award" was created in his honor. After retiring from the NYS Department of Social Services, John was a Government and Economics teacher at Holy Cross Academy in Oneida for several years, which brought him much happiness.
John was a parishioner of St. Patrick's Church, served on the Oneida City Water Board and was Chairman of the Civil Service Board. He also enjoyed gardening and loved spending time with his family and grandchildren. Through his challenge with Parkinson's disease, John's incredible ability to always be positive and find enjoyment in every situation is an inspiration for us all. He was always full of life and love, and always had a joke or story to share.
John is survived by his children: Mary and her husband Peter, and their children Rachel and Timothy; Patrick and his daughter Allison; Ann-Margaret and her husband Tom, and their daughters Amelia and Josephina; brother, James Francis and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. John was predeceased by his wife, Loretta and his sister, Sister Ann Maura Wrafter, Sister of St. Joseph. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to John's caregivers of many years, Peggy O'Haire and Traci Penisi.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Saturday, at St. Patrick's Church where the Funeral Mass will be celebrated by the Rev. Richard Kapral, pastor. Interment will be made at St. Patrick's Cemetery. Friends may call at the Campbell-Dean Funeral Home, Inc., 260 Main St., Oneida, 5-7 p.m., Friday. Contributions, in his memory, may be made to the Madison County Children's Camp, P.O. Box 753, Oneida, N.Y. 13421.
CAMPBELL-DEAN FUNERAL HOME, INC.
Oneida