Thomas Rafferty

Thomas Joseph Rafferty, age 87 of Addison, NY passed away on Friday, December 21, 2018.

He was the youngest of seven children born to Thomas Rafferty and Elizabeth Doran Rafferty, who emigrated from Belfast, Ireland in the early 1900's. He was born in Secaucus, NJ. At the age of 15 he moved to Killawog, NY where his sister Helena lived. It was there he met Rosemary O Brown. They married and went on to have 9 children.

He and his wife, Rose, raised their children in the country and Thomas (Tom) tried his hand as a gentleman farmer, raising chickens, ponies, turkeys, rabbits, and one pig. He learned how to build and maintain his homes through trial and error. He was a self-taught man in many aspects, from electrical work, to gardening, to auto mechanics, to building additions for his growing family. After living in the Horseheads and the Elmira area for a few years, the family settled in Addison, NY where the family enjoyed their ten acre homestead.

Tom traveled back and forth from Addison to Elmira Heights where he worked as a mold maker for Thatcher Glass Manufacturing Co. He retired after working there for over 40 years.

Tom was very proud of his Irish heritage and loved to go and watch the Irish step dancing whenever he could. He discovered he enjoyed flying, so he sought out every variation he could from small engine plane rides, to glider planes, to a hot air balloon and finally a helicopter ride.

But, most of all Tom loved his family and reared them in the Baptist church over the years, always serving as a Sunday School teacher, VBS leader, deacon or trustee. He loved the Lord and was looking forward to going "home".

Tom was preceded in death by his wife of almost 53 years, Rosemary O Brown Rafferty, his two sons, Daniel T Rafferty and Stephen M Rafferty, as well as his two grandsons, Timothy K Rafferty and Caleb L Smith.

Tom is survived by his loving companion: Gladys Gridley (GG), his son: Timothy Rafferty (Annie), daughter: Colleen Morseman (Timothy), daughter: Rosemary Smith (Richard), daughter: Robin Benesh (Michael), son: Shaun Rafferty, daughter: Sharon Machuga (James), son: Michael Rafferty. He is also survived by his many grandchildren: Daniel, Brian, Jason, Kristen, Matthew, Heather, David, Joshua, Isaac, Brandon, Katelyn, Nathan, Collin, Jessica, Erica, Matthew, Ryan, Corissa, Justin, Patrick, Rachelle, Brennon; several great grandchildren and a few great great grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to call at Carpenter-Flint Funeral Home, 10 Wall Street, Addison, NY 14801 on Thursday, December 27, 2018 from 11:00am-2:00pm. A funeral service will immediately follow at 2:00 pm. Burial will take place in Elk Creek Cemetery in Borden, NY.

Kind words or fond memories of Thomas can be offered to his family at www.CarpentersFuneralHome.com.