Obituary of Thomas Michael Caffrey

It is with great sadness that the family of Thomas Michael Caffrey announce his passing on Monday July 28, 2008 at the age of 99 years. Thomas was born in 1909 in County Meath, Ireland as the first of eleven children. He immigrated to Canada in 1926 at seventeen years of age and worked for his uncle on a farm in Saskatchewan. True to his roots, he purchased farm land and continued the way of life he loved. Thomas met Lillian Caesar while she was teaching at Westmount School in Saskatchewan and they were married in 1936. They ultimately settled on a farm near Cabri, SK. They had two sons, John born in 1948 and Jim born in 1949. Thomas enjoyed working with his hands and built houses, large machinery transport trailers and innovatively modified farm machinery. Never one to be idle, he continued to construct wooden garden sheds for his grandchildren when he was 96 years of age. Both Thomas and Lillian had a deep enduring affection for Ireland, visiting many times over the years, the last of which was when he was 89 years old. Irish culture was important to Thomas and he enjoyed listening to Irish music. Thomas had a well known love for automobiles and owned many over the years. He could remember in great detail many of his vehicles including his first, a Ford Model A. During his lifetime, the world changed significantly. He witnessed two world wars, the decline of the British Empire, the emergence of the United States as a major world power, the rise and fall of the Soviet Empire, the beginning of the rise of China as a major power and the spread of democracy and freedom throughout the world. Despite the changes in the world, Thomas never changed. He retained his love of life and family and was an exceptionally positive role model for everyone around him. Thomas leaves to cherish his memory two sons and daughters-in-law, John Thomas and Jeannette Caffrey and their children Sean and Kerry (Tyler) and Charles James “Jim” and Sandra Caffrey and their children Michael (Claire) and Teresa (Steven) all of Calgary, AB. Thomas was predeceased by his beloved wife of sixty four years, Lillian in 2000. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 401 1st Street North, Cabri, SK Telephone: (306) 672-3257 on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. Graveside Service to follow at the Cabri Cemetery. Forward condolences through . If friends do desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Cabri Swimming Pool c/o, Cabri Town Office, Box 200, Cabri, Saskatchewan, S0N 0J0. In living memory of Thomas Caffrey, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E., Calgary, AB Telephone: 1-800-661-1599.