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Edward Rafferty Obituary
Edward L. Coach Rafferty Jr., 60, of Allentown, died Friday, April 11, 2008, in his home. Born in New York City on October 8, 1947, Edward was the first born and only son of Christine M. (Marshall) Rafferty and the late Edward L. Rafferty Sr. Active in youth sports, Edward was an assistant coach in his parish, St. Joseph the Worker Sports Program, Orefield, and Holy Cross High School, New York City, before moving with his family to Pennsylvania. Most important, to those fortunate enough to have known and loved him, Edward will be remembered as a gentle, loving and brave man who faced and overcame a lifetime of challenges and adversity with great humor and dignity. Survivors: Mother; sisters, Maureen E. Rafferty-Kist and her husband John, with whom he resided, Christine R. Hamill and her husband John of Allentown; nieces and goddaughter Cristin, Molly, and Caitlin and husband Tim Reyes. Coach Ed will also be missed by his longtime girlfriend, Eileen Bracken, and numerous relatives and friends. Services: Mass of Christian Burial, 11 a.m. Monday, April 14, 2008, St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, 1879 Applewood Drive, Orefield, with Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Wargo celebrant. Family and friends may call 7-8:30 p.m. Sunday in Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., 4906 Route 309, Schnecksville. Private inurnment, Resurrection Cemetery, Wescosville. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church Sports Programs, c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Schnecksville, PA 18078-0196.
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Memories and Condolences
for Edward Rafferty
Sponsored by Rafferty-Kist family.
Rafael Ramirez
November 2, 2023
It's true what they say, memories never die. I remember at the bus stop that you always remembered the saint whose name I carry. I would often bring homework for you and we would start it together in the kitchen of your home. Yours was a very loving home.
Pete Kist
April 27, 2008
Ed,
Thanks for all the great memories and jokes ( some good and some not so good ) ! I'll keep you in my prayers and I am sure when the Lord needs cheering up he can always call upon you for that .
Pete
John Carelli
April 24, 2008
I still remember meeting Ed for the first time. Our “new neighbor” showed up at the front door on moving day asking to use the phone. It was immediately obvious that he was a special person, and over the years, I came to learn just how special he really was. With a heart, a spirit, and of course, a sense of humor as big as he was, he touched everyone he met as he did me, starting that day.
We had a chance, together, to coach Nikki and her friends in T-ball for a couple of years. Ed gentleness with the little kids was surpassed only by his excitement at being involved. He was always looking for ways to teach and motivate the kids. A practice seldom went by when he didn’t have a new team roster or a certificate/award that he painstakingly designed and printed up on his Commodore 64. I was thrilled to have him “on the team”.
… and then there were the jokes. Whenever I came across a “good one” – one that I knew Ed would appreciate – I made it a point to share it with him. He never failed to share one in return. That’s the kind of guy he was and the friend that I’m going to miss.
Maggie Blaetz
April 24, 2008
You were always there when I needed a joke,
You never questioned folk,
Your life was filled with great stuff,
And you were always tough.
I will miss you very much Uncle Eddie. Always keeps funny jokes alive with you.
Gracie Blaetz
April 24, 2008
I liked all Uncle Eddie's funnny jokes and his nice personality. I will miss him.
Lawrence Doyle
April 22, 2008
I remember back to when our girls were quite young and their impression of Edward was that he was "the biggest man in their world" . Despite everything he was gentle kind and funny. We can look to his spirit and know how really blessed we all are.
John Carelli
April 21, 2008
I had the privilege of living next to Ed for many years and during that time I got to know him very well. He really was a great person who was extremely unselfish, as he only wanted to see you happy. He loved coaching and he used to come out when I was playing basketball and give me pointers. I'll miss Ed greatly, and of course his jokes. My favorite was probably one of his favorites, as he always said it: 'Help! I've fallen and I can't get up, and I don't have one of those things..' We all love you Ed and we all miss you.
Gloria & John Carelli
April 21, 2008
We shall remember Ed as the sweet, gentle, kind man with a ready smile. Ed's eloquent spirit spoke volumes. He added much to his world and left it a better place. Our love and thoughts are with family and friends.
Cristin Kist
April 21, 2008
Ed was a great man. He lived every day to the fullest and never forgot to let everyone know how much he loved and appreciated them. I am a far better person for having known him. I will miss him, but I know he is with his father now and I am sure he's making Grandpa laugh! Love you always, Ed!
Mo Rafferty-Kist
April 20, 2008
Dear Joan, Thank you so much for your thoughts, Ed's family
Joan K.
April 16, 2008
Ed was someone I met at Westwood Heights Swim Club about 15 years ago. He was always very friendly and always had a joke for you. I remember him saying that because several of his relatives were all named John that his house had a lot of Johns.
I remember how much he lliked children and coaching basketball.
It is hard to find someone who is so willing to give time as he did to help others.
LuAnn McKee
April 14, 2008
I will always remember Ed for his gentleness and kindness but most of all his humor...what a special man!. Ed was a true fighter!
Anne O'Connor
April 14, 2008
In all our thoughts and prayers Ed.
Anne & all your irish cousins Birr Ireland.
Patti Sullivan Schmidt
April 12, 2008
A pun is a figure of speech which consists of a deliberate confusion of similar words or phrases for rhetorical effect, whether humorous or serious. A pun can rely on the assumed equivalency of multiple similar words (homonymy), of different shades of meaning of one word (polysemy), or of a literal meaning with a metaphor. In early 18th century England a common practice when speaking was to answer in a single syllable, made from a larger word. People did it for fun. The word 'pundigrion' was coined to describe this kind of word-play. It's believed that this was the origin of our word 'pun'.
My cousin Edward was a pun savant. He could come up with a pun for any given situation within a split-second.
In memory of Ed, here are a few puns I think he would enjoy:
An elevator makes ghosts happy because it lifts the spirits.
What's the definition of a will? (It's a dead giveaway).
He avoided funerals because he was not a mourning person.
Pennies from heaven are a blessing in de skies.
..... and finally
Packing up and relocating to a new home can be a moving experience.
Enjoy your new home in heaven Ed. I hope you are telling jokes at this very moment to your father and my father.
Love,
brian hamill
April 12, 2008
My condolences, love and prayers for everyone Ed knew.
Mazz and Kathy Mazzarella
April 12, 2008
ED,
We're sure Heaven just got the #1 jokester and kindest soul. We'll always remember your smile and clever jokes.
Love,
Mazz, Kathy, Kathryn and Elizabeth
Mark & Jessica Fischetti
April 12, 2008
A fond farewell to a gentle soul. Your family is in our hearts and prayers. Love, Mark and Jess Fischetti
Dan Wukitsch
April 12, 2008
Coach Rafferty: You will be missed! I will never forget the memories playing basketball at St. Joseph's while you and my father coached.
Kathy and Tom Fischetti
April 12, 2008
A life well lived by a gentle and loving man. It was our pleasure to have known you, Ed.
Judy Park
April 12, 2008
I can imagine God saying to Ed:"Well done, good and faithful friend" and I imagine that Heaven is an even more fun place to be! Ed was a great guy and had the best family in the world . My love and prayers are with you all as you suffer this loss of a great soul from your family circle. He is home free. Love, Judy Park
John Hamill
April 12, 2008
We will miss you Ed, and will keep a cheeseburger hot for you!
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