WILLIAM N. CAFRITZ

CAFRITZ WILLIAM N. CAFRITZ William N. Cafritz died peacefully at home on August 27, 2014 from natural causes. His parents were Dr. Edward and Mildred Cafritz. He is survived by his wife, Buffy, whom he cherished, and his adopted son, Sandy Wilkes (Helen), and his daughter, Pamela Cafritz, both of whom loved their father dearly. He is also survived by his devoted brother, James Cafritz (Linda), and his three wonderful granddaughters, Elizabeth, Courtney, and Stephanie. Bill Cafritz grew up in Washington, DC where he attended Sidwell Friends School and graduated from Devitt Preparatory School where he was a gifted student and athlete. His college days were interrupted when he was drafted into the Army. As a member of the 88th Infantry Division in Italy, he was wounded in combat as his unit fought to take Monterumici. He was awarded a Purple Heart and, after convalescing, was preparing to redeploy when the war ended. After his discharge, he attended The Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania and, soon thereafter, began a long and distinguished career as a real estate developer and investor; a career that continued until the time of his death. His projects included single family communities, garden apartments, retail centers and industrial parks. These projects were often pioneering and were frequently recognized with industry awards for their excellence and quality. His active and fulfilling life also included exemplary service to the Washington community as president of The Washington Performing Arts Society, a director of Kennedy Center Productions, Inc. and chairman of the Dacor-Bacon House building committee. He was a founding trustee of Washington Real Estate Investment Trust, a member of the executive committee of the District of Columbia Building Industry Association and vice president of the Suburban Maryland Builders Association. Always a stellar athlete with a special fondness for sailing and tennis, it was later in life that he discovered a new passion. He became a painter and sculptor. He enthusiastically took classes at The Corcoran School of Art and was awarded a much-coveted prize for one of his sculptures. Cast in a bronze edition of three, his final sculpture captured his granddaughters sitting together happily in the company of their grandfather. With all of his accomplishments and the deep satisfaction that came from a life well-lived, it was his relationship with his wife, soul mate and companion, Buffy, that brought him his greatest joy and happiness. Theirs was a love for the ages and her endless devotion, care and encouragement during his long journey with Parkinson's Disease was nothing short of remarkable. He will always be remembered by his family and friends as a man of unmatched kindness, impeccable integrity, indomitable spirit and zest for life. Funeral and interment services are private. The family suggests that donations in his honor might be made to Caring for Military Families, 600 New Hampshire Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20037 or The William Cafritz Sculpture Fund at The National Gallery of Art, 6th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20565.