Obituary of Leo McCaffrey

Obituary Leo Joseph McCaffrey August 7, 1932 - November 20, 2011 The seventh of eight children born to Aurelie and Wilfrid McCaffrey on August 7, 1932 at home in Vawn, Saskatchewan. He died November 20, 2011 in Fort St. John, BC. Mourning the loss of Leo is his wife, Eunice and children and their spouses: Gregory & Iris, Vernon, BC; Sean & Rhonda, Fort St. John, BC; Catherine & Russell Wagg, Campbell River, BC; Maureen McCaffrey & Tom Hunt, Trenton, ON; Six Grandsons: Aaron Edzerza, Benjamin Wagg, Jonathon Wagg, Connor McCaffrey, Coleman McCaffrey, David McCaffrey, Two Granddaughters: Elizabeth McCaffrey, Hannah McCaffrey Siblings: Charles McCaffrey, Edam, SK, Rosalie L'Heureux, Ajijic, Mexico, John McCaffrey, Mayerthorpe, AB; Henry and Therese McCaffrey, Grande Prairie, AB; Richard McCaffrey, Calgary, AB Nieces and Nephews from the McCaffrey, Birley and Beaton families Cousins from the McCaffrey, Valliere families He was predeceased by son Jason May 3, 2003; his mother Aurelie Valliere McCaffrey November 1995 and father Wilfrid McCaffrey October 1937; two brothers - Aime McCaffrey 1989; Wilfrid McCaffrey 1999, brother-in-law Paul L'Heureux 1977; three sisters-in-law Bernice Pollard McCaffrey 1995; Collette L'Heureux McCaffrey 1999; Irene Farynowski McCaffrey 2010 Father Udoka Nwasu officiated at the requiem mass and burial Saturday, November 26, 2011 from The Church of the Resurrection in Fort St. John, BC. Active urn bearer was his eldest grandson Aaron Edzerza, Calgary, AB; Honorary pall bearers were Archie McKinnon, Wilf Rector, Ralph Dressler, Gary Cushway, Ed Boulanger, Les MacLeod. First Reading during Mass - friend, Wilf Rector, Fort St. John. Second Reading - niece Judy Carignan, Edam SK. Eulogy , written by son-in-law Russell Wagg, Campbell River. Leo's life was filled with many interests and pursuits. Following service in the army, he returned home to the farm, and then went on to work in the logging industry where he began his lifetime career of driving. He moved to the North Peace working in the Oilfield moving rigs and heavy equipment, worked on the Bennett Dam and upon its completion, returned to Oilfield transport. He was the first to use the remote control device for moving rigs. Throughout his employment, he was reliable and esteemed by his employers and coworkers. For several years he operated the first concrete pumper in Fort St. John. Following retirement, he returned to his 'roots' the farm where he helped Doug Parker with spring preparation and fall harvest and worked as a pilot-car driver during the summer and winter months until his illness in 2007. He loved sports, baseball 'loyal Blue Jays fan', hockey 'a true and tried Maple Leafs fan 'win or lose' and he enjoyed golfing and darts where he excelled at both. He was a 50 year member of the Royal Canadian Legion in Fort St. John. He quit work as a pilot-car driver when he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma cancer in 2007. He died, with family at his bedside, in the early hours [0120] of Sunday, November 20, 2011 in the Fort St. John Hospital. Cremation conducted by Hamre's Funeral Home. Following the Interment of Ashes in Woodlawn cemetery, a reception tea, catered by the Royal Canadian Legion ladies, was held at the North Peace Curling Rink banquet room. Expressions of Sympathy to the Fort St. John & District Palliative Care Society or to the Cancer Clinic Unit at the Fort St. John Hospital. Leo's smile, his twinkling, mischievous blue eyes and contagious laughter, and especially his sense of humour are dearly missed. Rest in Peace. Eulogy Remembering Leo Each one of us is here today in recognition of the many cherished moments that we have spent with a loving husband, father, grandfather and a true friend. Knowing Leo's charm and ability to make friends so easily, I am sure that many of the families sitting here today could say that they too have had the opportunity to share this sense of belonging. Leo had an incredible ability to see the good in people, to be respectful of the feelings of others and value their opinion. Over the past few days, I am sure that all of us have shared memories with others that have brought both tears and laughter. Through discussion, the often forgotten special memories are brought to the forefront of our minds and now even more bring a smile to our face. As a young man Leo was trained as a gunner in the Canadian army and went on to be a member of the Fort St. John Royal Canadian Legion for 50 years. Leo loved sports... .and his commitment to his chosen teams was unwavering... .You have to be committed to be a Toronto Maple Leaf fan for as many years as Leo was! It often made for fun teasing in the McCaffrey household as Sean was a diehard Montreal fan and Eunice too cheered for the Habs. Leo was a huge baseball fan and he followed the Blue Jay diligently. One of the highlights of Leo's life was when he received a very special Fathers Day gift. A gift that brought him to Toronto to see his beloved Blues Jays live in action at the Skydome with his daughter Maureen. While Leo did spend his fair share of time on the couch watching his favourite teams, he was an avid sportsman with a very competitive side to him. Golf and Darts were two of his favourite sports and he excelled at both of them. For years Leo travelled throughout B.C. and Alberta with his dart team... and in the process, winning enough trophies and plaques that he could have quite easily started his own trophy store should he have chosen to. Leo loved to compete, but win or lose he always had a big smile on his face. He enjoyed the camaraderie of his friends and fellow competitors. Leo enjoyed smoking his pipe... especially when he played darts but Leo along with a little help from Eunice decided that smoking a pipe wasn't the healthiest thing to do... .so he quit. Well a short time later he was in a dart tournament in Dawson Creek and things weren't going well for his team. Leo was not on his game... .his team mates realized what was wrong,... . Leo didn't have his pipe, so Dave McKinnon sent Sis across the street to get Leo a pipe... she arrived back just in time, gave the pipe to Leo and he quickly regained his form and fired the winning shots that gave his team the victory. Mission accomplished and the pipe was gone before he returned home to Eunice. Leo was well respected and liked by his fellow dart competitors, a word that was often used to describe Leo was "charming".. Leo was a founding member of the Lakepoint Golf and Country club and throughout the summer if Leo wasn't working, you could find him on the course. There's an old saying that if you're caught out in the golf course in the middle of a lightening storm, just take your (one) 1-iron out of the golf bag and hold it in the air because even God can't hit a one iron... ..well the 1 (one) iron was Leo's favourite club and time and time again he would use his 1 (one)iron to drive the ball straight as an arrow down the middle of the fairway. I have fond memories of the time Uncle Leo would sneak his son Greg and I onto the golf course so we could caddy for him during the oilmen's golf tournament... ..We had to run thru the bush to catch up to him on the 2nd hole, away from the prying eyes of the tournament officials. Leo was a true sportsman and he didn't have time for those who used creative math when figuring out how many shots to add to their scorecard... ..Leo lived his life like he hit a golf ball... true and straight. Leo's work took him all over the country but it wasn't till his later years that he got to travel out of North America. One of those trips was to attend his daughter, Cathe's wedding in the Dominican Republic. Leo was not pleased that the couple had decided to marry outside the country When it could be done here in Fort St. John... ..and stated that he wouldn't be going. Well Eunice bought the tickets and Leo soon found himself in the beautiful climate of the Domninican Republic in a wonderful resort with a world class golf course a stones throw away. ... Leo quickly adapted to the resort lifestyle of luxurious surroundings, fantastic food and cold frosties... and if you didn't know any better you would have thought it was his idea all along for the couple to get hitched in the Dominican. The local Dominican golf caddies were very fond of Leo and admired his skill on the course... .the caddies often found that they had to wear sunglasses when golfing with Leo... not to protect their eyes from the sun but to protect their eyes from the glare of Leo's snowwhite legs against the backdrop of his black shorts. Over the years, Leo travelled extensively in this area as a truck driver. You name it and Leo hauled. For the most difficult hauls that required expertise and guile, it was Leo who was called on to get the job done, amongst his peers, Leo was recognized as the best. One of the fondest memories his children have of their Dad was when he took them out on the road in the big truck... .but the trip came with a condition, No sleeping! they had to stay awake and keep Dad company. In retirement, Leo returned to his roots -the farm -helping with spring preparation and fall harvest. During the summer and winter, he continued working in the "patch" as a pilot-car driver until his illness in 2007. During his illness and continuous pain, he still maintained his sense of humour. However, during bouts of extreme pain, when his language became quite colourful, his nurses are to be commended, for they perceived the true personality of this man. Leo had difficulty sleeping through the night and during one episode around 3:00 am, a patient was admitted who was equally vocal, verging on belligerence, and using the same colourful language that Leo sometimes used. Leo was at the reception area at the time. He threw up his arms, stated to the nurses "Honest, it wasn't me this time!" While in the B.C. Cancer Agency hospital, one of his nurses related the following incident to Eunice. Apparently the nurse had asked Leo what else he would like her to do for him. He gave the following answer. "Please take three steps backward (which put her at the foot of his bed) "and then turn right and take ten steps forward" (this put her outside his room!). She found it most amusing when she discovered she was out in the hallway! She wondered if he had actually paced out the distance! All of our lives have been enriched by the time we were given to spend and share with Leo. It is a sad time indeed that we have to say farewell. Leo always had his faith to sustain him through good times and not so good. He believed that we were given the gift of free will to make our own choices. We must now take solace in the knowledge that that he is at peace and he is able to breathe and move freely painlessly and enjoy God's abundant garden. Through his integrity and friendship we were encouraged to be open, honest and true friends. What is a friend? One with whom you dare to be yourself. You do not have to be on your guard. You can say what you think, so long as it is genuinely you. He understands those contradictions in your nature that lead others to misjudge you. With him you breathe freely. Let us recognize Leo today as a common thread, our friend, who continues to intertwine our lives. Take a moment now to think of a special interaction you had with Leo. As you place yourself back to that moment in time, focus on the smile that starts to form on your face and sense the pleasant feeling that accompanies it. This is Leo's gift to you, treasure it and never let it go. Cemetery Details Woodlawn Cemetery Fort St. John, BC, Funeral Service NOV 26. 02:00 PM Catholic Church of the Resurrection 9504 - 100 Ave BC, CA Services