Joseph McCaffrey

Joseph McCaffrey, (76), of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, passed away on July 9, 2023, from complications following a heart attack. Joe is survived by his daughter, Kaitlyn Rispoli (Nick), and son, Colin McCaffrey, along with his brother, Tom McCaffrey; sister Grace McCaffrey; cousin, John Kline; and his many nieces, nephews, and friends. Joe is predeceased by his wife, Ilene McCaffrey (January 19, 2021), his parents, Grace and Bill McCaffrey, and brothers Paul and William McCaffrey.

Joe was born on September 6, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was raised with his four siblings, and though he lived many places in his lifetime, he spent most of his life there. He attended Drexel University (class of ‘69) and was a member of Alpha Pi Lambda fraternity. Joe served in the US Army for two years during the Vietnam War. After the war, he found himself traveling around the country and lived in multiple states, including Connecticut, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and DC. He had a distinguished career as a certified public accountant with the IRS.

He met his loving wife, Ilene, in Avalon, New Jersey, during the summer of 1989, and just a year later, on November 11, 1990, they married. He and Ilene moved back to Philadelphia to raise their family, which included their two children and their dog. Later, Joe attended Rosemont College and received a master’s degree in writing and publishing. After his children graduated from college, he and his wife briefly relocated to Sarasota, Florida, where they enjoyed their time together, and he eventually returned to Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Joe also spent a lot of time in Barnegat Light, Long Beach Island, NJ, one of his favorite places, where he could be close to his family and enjoy the beautiful sunsets and beaches.

Joe enjoyed the outdoors, especially fly fishing and golfing. He was also an avid traveler and was able to travel to all seven continents of the world on various excursions. Some highlights include trips to Antarctica, Africa, and especially Australia, where he and his wife went for their honeymoon. No one could deny his extreme love of reading and writing, having also edited a children's book titled Yara’s Amazing Nose.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Father Judge High School, to the Paul McCaffrey Memorial Scholarship Fund.

A memorial service will be held at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 226 Righters Mill Road, Gladwyne, PA, 19035, at 11am on Sunday, July 16th