Joseph T. McCaffrey

Joseph T. (Joe) McCaffrey, 91, passed away March 2, 2020 at The Health Care Resort.  He was born November 6, 1928 in St. Marys, KS.  He was the 4^th of 8 children born to William and Angeline (Boudreau) McCaffrey.

Joe graduated from Holy Name Grade School in 1943 and from Capital Catholic (Hayden High School) in 1947. 

He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953 and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Joe was deployed to Europe to the Czech border during the Cold War. After serving his time, he was employed by the McFarland Warehouse until he moved to the Santa Fe Shops and eventually to the Santa Fe office building where he was a computer systems operator.  He retired in 1991.

Joe married Rita Claire Fagan on April 23, 1955 at the Assumption Catholic Church.  They enjoyed 49 years together.  She died May 30, 2004.

He and Rita were strong advocates for Catholic Education and were very active at Holy Name Catholic Church (now Mater Dei Parish).  Between the two of them, they served on the Finance, Parish, and School Councils, chaired the paper drives, school carnivals and especially the dinner for the parish bazaars along with numerous friends.  They were also awarded the Parish Volunteer Award.

Joe took his food very seriously. He loved to eat and no matter what…no one should leave hungry.   He always said, “If you go away hungry it’s your own damn fault!”

There wasn’t anything he couldn’t do, whether it was building a double car garage with his dad or a 2-story addition to the family home.  After the tornado of 1966, he helped numerous people with painting and small construction needs.             

He was also very active in the Knights of Columbus, Council 534, holding the office of Advocate.  He coached little league baseball for his sons and helped with the Knights of Columbus annual picnics.

Their volunteer work continued at Hayden High School where they served on the PACE (Parents & Alumni for Catholic Education) Board, Hey Day Carnival and ran the football concessions.  They were also very involved with the PACE Auction.  For their hard work, they received the Sisters of Charity Volunteer Award in 1991.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William (1982) and Angeline (2002) Boudreau McCaffrey, two brothers, William (2006) and John (1933), and a sister, Mary Teresa (1970).

Survivors include his 9 children: Colleen Imming and her husband, Chris, Topeka; Maureen Johnson and her husband, Frank, Auburn; Kathleen McCaffrey, Overland Park; Michael McCaffrey, Lawrence; Eileen McCaffrey, Topeka; Patrick McCaffrey, Topeka; Timothy McCaffrey and his wife, Monika, Topeka; Kelleen Broxterman and husband, Shawn, Topeka; and Ronan McCaffrey and his wife, Robin, Keller, TX.

Two brothers, Edward McCaffrey of Plano, TX, James McCaffrey, Denver, CO, two sisters, Margaret Dyer, Austin, TX and Rose Hecker, Topeka, KS.

Twenty-four grandchildren – Kevin Imming and his wife, Gretchen, Daniel Imming and his wife, Kayce, Valerie Glotzbach and her husband, Keith, John Imming and his wife, Rene. Frank Johnson, and his wife, Jennifer, Shawn Johnson, Heath Johnson and his wife, Madison, Meghan Lovell and her husband, Matt, Kelsie McCaffrey, Brian McCaffrey,  Brandon McCaffrey, Kaylee McCaffrey and her fiancé Tyler, Nicole McCaffrey, Jacob McCaffrey and his wife, Stephanie, Benjamin McCaffrey, Zachary McCaffrey, Caleb McCaffrey, Luke McCaffrey, Hannah McCaffrey, Colton Broxterman, Justin Broxterman, Tyler Broxterman,  Morgan McCaffrey and Aiden McCaffrey.

Twelve great-grandchildren: Jack Imming, Alexandra Imming, Isla Imming, Mason Imming, August Glotzbach, Isabella Glotzbach, Ethan Glotzbach, Grayson Imming, Harrison Imming, Allison Imming, Lincoln Johnson, and Jackson Lovell.

Visitation will be Friday, March 6, 2020 from 4 pm to 9 pm at the Mater Dei Holy Name Catholic Church where a Parish Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m.   Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 am Saturday, March 7, 2020 at the church.  Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials to Holy Name (Mater Dei) Church sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6^th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603.