Robert T. McCaffrey

Bob McCaffrey’s children are saddened to announce his death on Monday, June 30, 2025 at 93 years old.  Bob was a resident of Kennett Square, PA. 

Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Bob attended LaSalle Academy for high school.  After completing a year at Brown University, Bob was awarded a congressional appointment to the United States Naval Academy and graduated near the top of his class in 1954.  While at the Academy, Bob met then married Joan Fitzgerald in September 1956.  In a marriage spanning nearly 40 years, they lived in various cities up and down the East Coast, adding 3 children to the family.  Joan died in 1996 after a long battle with lymphoma.  Bob later met and, in 2008, married Lucy Carroll, a fellow bridge player, bike riding enthusiast and mother of 2 children.  For over 15 years, they traveled, entertained, and enjoyed time with their families and friends.  Lucy died in 2022 after a struggle with cancer.

In his professional life, after 4 years in the Navy, Bob worked in many corporate roles eventually becoming President of a medical instruments company.  Wanting to run his own business, he resigned and started his career as an entrepreneur owning and operating a home security system company and then his own consulting company.  After finishing his professional business career, Bob earned his Master’s Degree in Pastoral Care and Counseling at Neumann University and, working with Daylesford Abbey in Paoli, PA; provided individual spiritual direction for over 15 years.  Inspired by the hospice care given to his wife Joan, Bob became a devoted hospice volunteer for 25 years, providing support to hospice patients and their families well into his 80’s.

Bob loved two sports teams – Navy Football and Villanova Men’s Basketball.  Bob, his son, Brian, his nephew, Bill Fitzgerald and other family/ friends attended over 30 Army Navy football games and cheered loudly in all weather for a Navy win.  All three of Bob’s children graduated from Villanova University ensuring a strong connection to the school.  Bob and his son, Brian went to hundreds of Villanova Basketball games together cheering on the Wildcats and he particularly enjoyed all 3 National Championship wins.

Bob embodied generosity, kindness, friendliness, a voracious interest in learning, and a spirit of resilience.  He never met a problem he didn’t think he could somehow solve with intelligence, savvy, and hard work.  He was a devoted reader, stressed the value of education to his children, believed in living life to the fullest and in having a positive attitude no matter his circumstances.  In his later years, he studied piano, served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at St. Norbert’s Catholic Church in Paoli, PA, and spent hours tracing the genealogy of his family to all parts of Ireland.  He was thrifty, loved ice cream, cookies, and the Sunday comics, and sent cards and e-cards far and wide to show his care and concern.  He was devoted to his Catholic faith, welcoming to all, and enjoyed by the Kendal at Longwood staff where he lived in the final years of his life.  He loved and was proud of his children and grandchildren and loved his extended family and friends.  His infectious energy and easy smile will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.

Bob is predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Anna; his brother, John and his wife Joan and his wife, Lucy.  He is survived by his daughters, Eileen McCaffrey (Evan Schuman) and Sheila McCaffrey (Sean Duffin), his son Brian McCaffrey, and 2 grandchildren Joannie Schuman and Brendan Duffin.  He is also survived by his sister Marilyn, as well as Lucy’s children and grandchildren: daughter Leah Carroll (Gustavo), son Curtis Carroll (Althaea) and granddaughters Irene, Alexa, and Brianne.  Among the survivors are many other nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests considering donations to the following charities:

Main Line Health HomeCare & Hospice and the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.

A Funeral Mass will be held offered at 10:00AM, Friday, September 12, 2025 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 212 Meredith St., Kennett Square, PA 19348. Visitation will be at the church at 9:30AM.

A Celebration of Life will be held on 2:00PM on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at the Auditorium at Kendal at Longwood, 1109 E. Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square, PA 19348.  A reception will follow.  The Celebration of Life service will also be available to attend by Zoom. 

Time: Sep 13, 2025 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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