Frank Caffrey, 91
Frank Gerard Caffrey, 91, passed away on Thursday, July 26, 2018 at Sanford Hospice Centennial Cottage in Sioux Falls, with his family by his side. Memorial Mass will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, Aug. 6, 2018 at Risen Savior Catholic Church in Brandon. Visitation will be Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018 from 4-6 p.m. with the Rosary beginning at 6 p.m., at George Boom Funeral Chapel in Brandon. Please direct memorials to the Food Pantry in Sioux Falls.
Frank was born on Nov. 18, 1926 in Minneapolis, Minn., the oldest son of Gabe and Margaret Sather Caffrey. At barely 17 years old, Frank started what would become a 40-plus year military career that included service in all four branches of the Armed Forces. He first enlisted in the Navy for World War II. He was on the USS Lunga Point, which was an aircraft carrier stationed in the Pacific Theatre. The USS Lunga Point was in several battles, including Iwo Jima. After the war, his ship brought back released POWs from Nagasaki, including some survivors from the Bataan Death March. This four-year tour in the Navy started his military career. Frank then served in the Marines in the Korean war in 1950, he served a short time with the South Dakota Air National Guard in Sioux Falls, and served 21 years as a Squad Leader and Platoon Sargent in the Minnesota Army National Guard in Luverne, Minn. Later, Frank was the president and secretary for the Air Craft Carrier Reunion Group. This group met in various states from 1950 to 2000. His experience in the military had a profound impact on him and Frank shared many stories and published poems about this part of his life.
After the Korean War, Frank returned home to Sioux Falls and worked as a mail carrier. In 1965, he married Barbara Wermers of Dimock, S.D. They had four children and in 1971 they bought a farm near Garretson, S.D. Memories were made on the Caffrey farm for 43 years. It was the site of the best tire swings and tree houses for his children. Frank had a very large garden and fruit trees. He would often donate the fruit to the Food Pantry in Sioux Falls. In addition to the post office and the military, Frank was a licensed and practicing arborist and had a painting business. He was fearless and tireless with his work.
Frank was also active in the community. He was a long-time member of St. Rose Of Lima Catholic Church in Garretson. He was a member of the choir, singing there for many years, and also singing at his mother’s funeral. He had lost most of his hearing during WWII, so it was always surprising when he would sing. In 1965, he started the Hilltop Softball League in Sioux Falls.
Frank loved sports. He pitched softball well into his 60s, and played golf into his late 80’s. He loved golf, tennis, boxing, the Minnesota Twins, and the Minnesota Vikings. He also loved to watch his son Joe coach basketball. Frank was awarded the Father of Youth Softball in Sioux Falls for all of the work he did encouraging young people to play sports.
In 2014, Barbara and Frank made the difficult decision to leave their beloved farm behind and move to a retirement home near Brandon where Frank lived until just before his death. In the end, as his body failed him, his mind did not, and to the pleasure of his family, Frank maintained his quick wit, intelligence, and love for sports.
He was survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara; three sons, Patrick Caffrey (Jacquie Newhall) Boulder, Colo., Peter Caffrey (Yolany) Scottsdale, Ariz., Joe Caffrey (Krystal) Sioux Falls; and daughter, Amy Caffrey Bruns (John) Dallas, Texas; six grandchildren, Jackson, Lauren, Drew, Ryenn, Lucas and Grace; brother, Roy Caffrey (Nora) in Irvine, Calif; sisters, Berd Snyder (Don) and Mil Demars (Don) Spirit Lake, Iowa.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Gabriel and Margaret (Sather) Caffrey; and his brother-in-law, Don Snyder.
For online condolences, visit georgeboom.com.
