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BORN
1948
DIED
2018
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Patrick McCafferty Obituary
1948 - 2018
Patrick Charles McCafferty, 69, of Kent, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born September 26, 1948 in Akron to Ross John Regis and Ruth Milton (Anderson) McCafferty. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War. Patrick was a member of the American Legion, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 3rd Degree Member and Deputy Grand Knight of the Newman Center Council 15312 Knights of Columbus, a Past-President of both the Kent Jaycees and the Kiwanis Club of Kent. In his own words, "I believed in giving back to the community. If you can serve others, do it." He retired in 2014 from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium where he was the Director of Facilities. He was previously employed by Six Flags Great Adventures in NJ, Six Flags Worlds of Adventure, and SeaWorld Ohio in Aurora, OH, and the Davey Tree Company. After retiring from the Columbus Zoo, Pat loved being with his family. He spent time hiking, riding bicycles, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing with his treasured close circle of longtime friends. He enjoyed traveling, especially with his brother, Mike, visiting Ireland, and driving through the American Southwest and New England states. He is survived by brother, Michael (Ann Obery) McCafferty of Seattle, WA; sisters, Mary Jo (Charlie Carlson) McCafferty of Juneau, AK, Molly (Gus VanVliet) McCafferty of Juneau, AK, Anne (Jeff Coe) McCafferty of Golden, CO; and Kate (Rich) Doty of Kent; nieces and nephews, Chandra (Jordan Hershman) Travers, Garrett (Tarah) Doty, Justin Doty, Leah Coe, and Mara Coe; great nieces and nephew, Nova, Aiden and Emma; and many Godchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ross and Ruth McCafferty. Calling hours will be Sunday, June 10th at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory from 2:00-6:00pm. Funeral Services will be at University Parish Newman Center in Kent on Monday, June 11 at 10:30am. Burial will be held at Standing Rock Cemetery. Donations can be made to the Portage Park District Foundation. 705 Oakwood St., Suite 4, Ravenna, OH 44266. Pat's Irish eyes are smiling down upon us.
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Memories and Condolences
for Patrick McCafferty
Sponsored by The Columbus Dispatch.
Jerry Haebler
May 16, 2024
My Vietnam Veteran Brother, you will forever be in my heart. I miss you to this day.
Paul Engelhart
July 24, 2020
Today 07-23-20 I just ran across Pat's obituary.
May he rest in peace.
I worked in facility maintenance at Sea World after six flags bought the park.
Pat was the one of the best managers I've ever worked for.
We put together Tiger Island there.
A great Irishman. A great man.
Jerry Haebler
January 1, 2019
To the family of Pat I send my sincere and heartfelt condolences on your loss. Pat and I served together in Viet Nam. Pat was the only true friend I had while serving. His humor, laughter and singing is what kept me going during my time at Dong Ha. I visited Pat when he was stationed at Ft. Monmouth and saw him again when I visited him in the late 70's. I writing this now because I was planning a trip to see my friend, I'm saddened because I waited so long and will never have the chance to tell him how much he meant to me. I love and miss you my brother. Welcome Home
Jerry Haebler
Terri Martin
June 11, 2018
I was a frequent visited to Sea World Ohio, and Columbus Zoo. Also a previous employee for Sea World Florida. I am so sorry for your loss. He will be greatly missed.
Christine Craycroft
June 10, 2018
My condolences to all who love Pat. He always gave so freely of his time in support of Portage Parks-- I especially appreciated his wise advice and professional insights in our time of transition, they were invaluable coming from a man of such high character and accomplishment. We'll miss him and his kindness.
Gary Morgan
June 10, 2018
All words fall short of expressing one's sorrow of Pat's passing. He touched the lives of so many peoplebrother, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, coworkers, and friends. When we think of Pat we think of his kind eyes and big smile. They invited you to establish a friendship and a love.
We remember the times when our girls were young, he would take them behind the scenes at Sea World of Ohio to meet the trainers who were working with various animals. We remember seeing the baby penguins and learning about them with Pat. Our girls enjoyed the special times when Grandma and Grandpa Leuenberger took them to see Pat at Sea World and the fun they had. Our family always looked forward to Sea World, to see Pat, and to participate in wonderful experiences. Thank you Pat, for enriching all of our lives. We will always miss you.
The Morgan Family
Mary, Joe, Lisa, and Lindsey
Herb Guyer-Sharfenaker USMC
June 5, 2018
God Bless/RIP. A heartfelt Thank YOU, Patrick for your service in Vietnam.. And Semper Fi...... Soldier.
Barbie Green Valentine Pennington
June 5, 2018
I went to grade school with Pat....always admired him and his Parents and family. God bless him and all of you.
Jon Prochnow
June 5, 2018
Dear Mike, Mary Jo, Molly, Ann, and Kate:
I was saddened to learn of Pat's death. Thoughts of him have always made me smile and remember some great times with the McCafferty clan. He was a kind and gentle man and the world needs more like him, now more than ever. I am sorry that I will be unable to offer my condolences in person, but will be out of town this weekend. Please know that you all are in my heart and on my mind.
The Staff of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home
June 4, 2018
Offering our deepest sympathies during this time.
Our behind the scenes with Pat The Krebs's & The Hunter's
Earl Krebs
June 4, 2018
Pat went out of his way to make our family feel special, in December of 2011 he set up a special behind the scenes tour of the Columbus Zoo for our family, the grandkids loved it and have never forgotten it. He loved kids, and yes he did make the world a better place for all of us. We all will miss him.
Earl & Karen Krebs
June 3, 2018
Offering sincere condolences to your family. May God's promise comfort and sustain you during this difficult time. John 6:40.
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2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory628 West Main Street, Kent, OH 44240
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Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory628 West Main Street, Kent, OH 44240
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