The Honorable James E. Rafferty

The Honorable James E. Rafferty passed peacefully on March 25, 2022. Formerly of Turnersville and Runnemede. Age 76.
Devoted husband of the late Mildred. Loving father of Melina M. Jaggard, Karen Cardillo (Dennis), and Jennifer Vitale. Cherished grandfather of Victoria Rafferty DeFlaco, Christopher Vitale II, Samantha Vitale, Jayla Jaggard, Luciana Cardillo, and Isabella Cardillo. Great grandfather of Lilly and Isaiah. Beloved eldest brother of seven sisters, Eileen Vogel, Elizabeth Snyder, Mildred "Mimi" Rafferty, the late Regina Ann Smith, Patricia Marie Wiggington, Donna Marie Vogel, and Mary Collette Carol. Son of the late Hugh A. Rafferty Jr, and Regina Ann Rafferty (nee Gilham). Also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
James served as a Superior Court Judge for the State of New Jersey. He graduated from Bishop Eustace Preparatory High School, St. Joseph's University, and Widener University Law School. James loved to travel and to read, but his greatest trait was his devotion to his family.
Prior to his retirement, Judge Rafferty served as a New Jersey Superior Court Judge for sixteen years in all divisions of the Court. He was a trial court judge in the Family Division first in Gloucester County and then in Cumberland County for two and a half years. He then transferred to the Civil Part and for five years presided over jury trials for auto negligence, medical malpractice and products liability cases. For the past eleven years he served as the Presiding Judge of the Chancery Division in Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem Counties, as well as the Designated Environmental Judge and the Designated "Mt. Laurel" judge. As Environmental Judge he was involved in successfully resolving many complex coverage disputes and extensive multi-faceted clean-up operations. In addition, he presided over numerous complex land use and commercial cases. As the Presiding Judge of the Chancery Division/Probate Part, Judge Rafferty tried numerous lengthy and complex Probate cases. These included will contests and contested guardianship proceedings, as well as disputes involving the interpretation of trust documents. In addition to cases tried to conclusion, hundreds of cases were settled with his assistance. For eleven years he served on the N.J. Supreme Court conference of Probate Judges and was Chairman of the Rules Subcommittee for three years. He has lectured at several county probate seminars. Judge Rafferty's experience has led him to believe strongly that most probate disputes are highly amenable to mediation. He also mediates complex divorce cases and spent three years in the matrimonial court. In addition to Probate cases Judge Rafferty has managed and tried numerous corporate and small business disputes. These have included oppressed shareholder cases and appraisal cases. He concluded the case of the Wheaton Company after a remand from the Supreme Court.
There will be a visitation Monday April 4 from 10 am to 12 noon at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE.
Memorial service 12 noon at the funeral home.
Inurnment New St. Mary's Cemetery, Bellmawr.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in James' memory to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) 375 Kings Hwy N, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 (mymsaa.org).