Dennis McCafferty

Dennis Anderson McCafferty died unexpectedly at Ellis Hospital on December 6, 2021. He was 71 years old. He deeply loved his intimate soul mate Diane Flynn, and she him. Even though we say "he leaves behind" in these types of announcements, their connection is unending and continues on as it began when they both realized, "Oh, there you are." They shared a deep undeniable connection which neither expected and continued to grow in countless unexpected ways. Dennis was the son of Dr. William McCafferty and Jane McCafferty, of Niskayuna, who both preceded him in death. Dr. McCafferty was a distinguished local physician, and the Chief of Anesthesiology at Albany Medical Center. Dennis was also preceded in death by his beloved brother, Jim. Dennis made his primary mark in the world as a very skilled and eclectic musician, performer, and composer. He played a vast range of instruments, including piano, guitar, drums, and vibraphone. He was well-known in the Albany area for his performances at local cafes, restaurants and clubs. But his musical skills also ran deeply into the classical domain. He was a prodigious composer, and his works-particularly a fine symphonic piece named "Empire in Decline" have been performed by local groups including the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra. Apparently unafraid to investigate any musical genre, Dennis also composed a full-length opera, as well as the soundtrack for a movie-"The Insignificant Other." Dennis's friends and family took great joy in watching his musical career develop. They recall that before returning to the Capital District, Dennis had quite a notable career as a musician in New York City. One friend recalls that he had a "dedicated following of upper west side types of that day" as the songwriter/lead singer/guitarist of the band called The Ushers. They remember that the music he composed for the group was "dark, blunt, and concise"-and often flavored with "a wry sense of humor." At one point in his career, Dennis toured Europe with the group La Mama. Diane loved Dennis's recounting of his recognition that he must become a drummer after seeing his first fife and drum corps, apparently around the age of 3 or 4 years old. After seeing the band, he begged his parents to let him learn the drums immediately, but school protocol insisted that he wait until he was 6 years old to begin studies. When he did finally get his first drum set, he "took off like lightning" and eventually became a very talented and sought-after drummer. Later in life, Dennis found deep satisfaction in teaching music to kids, and taught around the area at various primary and secondary schools, where he was much in demand. The kids adored him, and he them. They could feel that he took great satisfaction in their accomplishments. Dennis was an extremely well-educated, and even erudite man. He boasted a B.A. from the University of New Hampshire, and a B.S. in music from Skidmore College in Saratoga. He also studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, as well as the Manhattan School of Music. In addition, he studied privately with a whole range of master musicians, several of whom became important mentors for him, especially the noted composers Nils Vigland, and Max Lifchitz. Though music was always "at the top of the list," friends remember many other sides of Dennis. He was a quietly devout man, a privately religious man, who deeply valued and studied his Catholic faith. He was known for a deeply intuitive wisdom and spirituality which seemed to infuse everything he did. He had a natural kindness and sweetness. At the same time, his friends and family always mention his sense of humor, which has variously been called "hilarious, creative, insightful, surprising, wise, dry, and deep." Dennis adored family. He especially loved big family get togethers "back in the day" at his parents' big, beautiful home in Niskayuna, with his close cousins Darcy and Holly and various other cherished family members. He loved ski trips at the family's cabin at Stowe, and summers at the lake. He took his family's Scottish connections seriously, and he and his brother Jim savored their annual trip to the Scottish Games-wearing the Anderson clan's tartan proudly. Dennis McCafferty will be deeply missed. Friends and family will gather for a wake from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., on Monday, December 13, at the Armer Funeral Home, Inc., 39 East High Street, Ballston Spa. Facemasks will be required. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 14, at St. Anthony's Church, 331 Seward Place, Schenectady. Burial will follow in Ballston Spa Village Cemetery, Garrett Road, Ballston Spa. Online remembrances may be made at www.armerfuneralhome.com.