Robert McCafferty

10/23/1947 - 10/26/2025

Robert Mitchell McCafferty died on Sunday October 26, 2025, just three days after his 78th birthday, from complications from pancreatitis. During his illness, he was supported by his surviving family: wife Candy (Borgen), daughter Jess (Meagan Moering), and beloved grandson Everett.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy Hayes (Brandt) and Robert A; and brother Steve. He is survived by siblings Mikel and Sid McCafferty, Cindy, and Phillip Hayes; cousin Sandra; and multiple nieces and nephews.
Bob grew up many places in Portland, including a farm. He made money with his siblings by making and selling folded paper stars as Christmas ornaments. His family was the first on the block with a TV, which made them popular. At 17, he enlisted in the Navy to join troops in Vietnam. He served on the Ticonderoga in the South Pacific and was honorably discharged before his 21st birthday. Upon returning stateside, he pursued a career in truck driving, which led him to work with the Babler Brothers. He met his now wife (Candy) on a job site in September, and they were married two months later! Robert and Candy started creating their life together and were told they couldn't have kids. Ten years later, they conceived a child (Jess). Robert started his own asphalt road construction business in 1992 with Drew Whittle and Jim Elting. The business paved many roads and highways across Oregon and won numerous awards, including Smoothest Road multiple times. He took pride in his work and treated his crew like family, having annual Christmas parties and pig roasts for the crew and families. Throughout his career, he always managed to take trips in the winter. A few months before his death, Robert took his 69th trip to Mexico, where he loved fishing and basking in the sun by the pool.
After retiring in 2012, Robert and Candy actualized their dreams of leaving the rain of the Pacific Northwest behind and moved to Arizona in the winter months. They also acquired many alpacas as a hobby and took several multi-country trips. Bob and Candy also acquired several properties in Arizona and became landlords who truly cared about their renters, some of which are considered friends today.
Robert will be missed for his business savviness, quick wit, excellent mustache and love for his dogs, his grandson and his family. In honor of Robert, please consider drinking a water and whiskey, a Coors Light, eating a steak cooked on a grill and/or smoking a cigar. Though his life seemed cut short, we are all comforted knowing he was living his life how he wanted to live it and was grateful for every day he woke up.
There will be no services planned for Robert. He will be buried in Willamette Cemetery, close to all the other family and friends he visited every Memorial Day. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a Veterans Service organization, or to a Children's hospital.