Deceased: 2011-08-20
Diocese: WASHINGTON
ICTE Spring: 1992
Reverend Patrick Joseph McCaffrey of the Archdiocese of Washington passed away Saturday, August 20, 2011, he was 78 years old. He spent his final his days lovingly surrounded by his family and friends. The son of Thomas McCaffrey of Tyrone, Ireland and Rose Boyle of Gweedore, Ireland, Father McCaffrey was born, September 20, 1932 and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He received a Bachelor of Arts in 1954 from St. Bonaventure University in New York and continued his studies at Christ the King Seminary at St. Bonaventure from 1955 to 1956. He fulfilled his seminary training, completed his licentiate of Sacred Theology, and received a Masters in Religious Education in 1959 from the Theological College at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Father McCaffrey is survived by his sister, Helen McCaffrey of New York, his brother Daniel McCaffrey and sister-in-law Sandy McCaffrey, of New York and 14 nieces and nephews and 31 grandnieces and grandnephews. He was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of St. Matthew in Washington, D.C. on May 23, 1959. His first assignment was as Associate Pastor of St. Gabriel Roman Catholic Church from 1959 until 1966. From there he served as Associate Pastor at St. Mary, Mother of God Church and St. Anthony’s, both in Washington, D.C. From 1975 to 1982, he served as Pastor of St. Francis de Sales Church, Washington, D.C. and from 1982 to 1986 he was Associate Pastor of St. Bartholomew’s Church in Bethesda, Maryland. From 1984 to 1985 he traveled to Latin America for Hispanic studies. From 1986 to 1987, he served as a Associate Pastor of Christ the King Church, Silver Spring, Maryland. In 1987, he returned to St. Gabriel’s and served as Pastor until 2000. From 2000 until he retired in 2005, he served as senior priest at Saint Stephen Martyr in Washington, D.C. and as Chaplain to GW Hospital. During his ministry, Father McCaffrey served as Chaplain of the Newman Club of D.C. Teacher’s College, Vicar in the Northeast Vicariate, on the Archdiocesan School Board and the Board of Directors for Archbishop Carroll High School and a member of the Priest Council. In 1993 he created the St. Gabriel’s Petworth Youth Program. He also created Gabriel’s Hope for the restoration of his beloved church. He authored two books on films in religious education and in the 1960’s was on the radio delivering several sermonettes. For 52 years, Father Pat devotedly served God and all those he encountered. On this, his graduation day, he is now resting high above us and walking with angels and celebrating the culmination of his many years devoted to the Lord. Services will be held at St. Gabriel’s R.C. Catholic Church, 26 Grant Circle, NW, Washington, D.C. 20011. On Tuesday, August 23 visitation will be held from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a vigil mass at 7:30 that same evening. The funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, August 24 at 10:30 a.m., also at St. Gabriel’s R.C. Church. Burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery, NE Washington. In lieu of flowers, please send Donations to St. Gabriel’s R.C. Church with memo for restoration of stained glass windows in honor of Father Pat and his passion for the restoration and beauty of St. Gabriel’s .
