CapeCodToday Obituaries

Michael McCaffrey, family man, educator, blogger, dies

Editor's note: Dr. McCaffrey wrote a blog on CapeCodToday.com for several years under the pseudonym The Opinionator where he penned over 250 columns or posts which are archived there. His contributions will be greatly missed.  Our prays are with his family.

Superintendent of Dennis Yarmouth Regional School District for 18 years

Michael Duff McCaffrey, 68, peacefully passed on to eternal life Sunday, March 22 , 2009.

Born in Lancaster, NH, he was a graduate of Lancaster High School and studied for his undergraduate degree at Saint Anselm College and the University of Ottawa. From 1963 – 1965, he served in the United States Army Infantry. He received his Masters in 1969 from the University of New Hampshire and his Doctorate in Education Administration from Boston University in 1974.

Doctor McCaffrey began his teaching career in 1965 in Groton, VT and his administrative work at Whitman Public Schools as Assistant Superintendent.

Came to Cape in 1983

He was Superintendent for Rockport, MA Public Schools from 1978 to 1983 and was named Superintendent of Dennis Yarmouth Regional School District in 1983 where he loyally served for 18 years.

Michael is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Donna E. (Gandin) McCaffrey, his five children and their spouses; Mary and George Lavoie of Yarmouth Port; Patrick and Kecia McCaffrey of South Dennis; Catherine and Sean Brewer of Marstons Mills; Elizabeth and Stephen Giordano of Eastchester, NY; and Melissa and Ross Brennan of Dennis; his two sisters, Susan Burrill of Wolcott, VT; Shannon Tibbitts of Wolfeboro, NH; twelve dearly loved grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He will always be remembered for his strong Catholic faith, his devotion to education and his unbounded love for his family.

Friends and family are invited to call at the Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Ave., South Yarmouth on Thursday, March 26 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 27 at Saint Pius X Church, Station Ave., South Yarmouth. Burial will be in Woodside Cemetery in Yarmouth Port.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Education Foundation for Dennis and Yarmouth Inc., P. O. Box 522, South Yarmouth, MA 02664 or to Lahey Clinic, c/o Ann Delier, 41 Mall Rd., Burlington, MA 01805.