Timothy Temple McCaffrey

Timothy Temple McCaffrey November 19, 1939- February 2, 2019 died peacefully at his home at Meadow Ridge, Redding, CT, surrounded by his family after a nine-year struggle with prostate cancer. Born in Exeter, NH to Austin and Kathleen McCaffrey, Timothy had three younger brothers, Michael, Kevin and Shane, who survive him. He grew up in New Hampshire and graduated from Manchester High School (1957). He received his BA with honors from Harvard University (1961), where he met his beloved wife of 56 years, Jane Russell. He earned a law degree from Columbia University (1965). Timothy worked for 35 years as senior counsel in the insurance and reinsurance business, retiring as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the world-wide operations of General Reinsurance Corporation. Prior to that, he was chief legal officer for National Reinsurance Company, the Zurich Insurance Company US, and the Continental Insurance Companies. He also served as an arbitrator for 25 years on reinsurance dispute arbitrations. Timothy's Catholic faith was a central pillar of his life. With Jane, he was a devoted member of the Benedictine Grange in Redding, CT for 31 years, where he found a spiritual home, a community of dear friends, and served on several pastoral ministries. He had a rich civic life. In 1970, he joined the United Ossining (NY) Party (UOP)'s successful efforts to challenge and revitalize entrenched township politics, and formed lifelong friendships with fellow political campaigners. In Ossining, NY, he served as a member of the planning board and as a Little League coach. Later in Westfield, NJ, he coached boys' and girls' soccer from the inception of the league in the late 1970s. Timothy had deep appreciation for the natural world and the contemplative life. He cultivated spectacular flower gardens, grew prolific crops of tomatoes, and fed flocks of song birds. He loved poetry and Webster Lake in Franklin, NH. He sustained a dry wit until his very final days of life, cracking jokes with the hospice team. He was an ethical, generous, loving and loyal husband, father, son, brother and friend. He leaves behind his wife Jane, their three children, Matthew (wife Lesley), Katherine (husband Howard Fischer), and Mark (wife Elizabeth); eight grandchildren Benjamin, Julia, Timothy, Laura, Erin, John, Isabel and Brian; his brothers and sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. A funeral Mass to celebrate Timothy's life is scheduled for Saturday, February 9, 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Parish, 30 Church Street, Redding, CT, with a luncheon to follow at Meadow Ridge. In recognition of Timothy's love of books, in lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate donations in his memory to the Mark Twain Library, 439 Redding Road, Redding, CT 06896.