Obituary for John F. Lafferty
John F. Lafferty, age 84, of Williamstown, NJ passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.
John was born in Haddon Heights, NJ to the late John F. Lafferty and Theodosia Lafferty (nee Paulikas), to whom he was most beloved. John was admired and embraced deeply as a father and grandfather, cherished as a brother, endeared as an uncle, close in hearts as a cousin, and a true friend of many.
John’s early childhood was lived in Haddon Heights, NJ until the Lafferty family moved its heart and epicenter to the sprawling Lafferty Farm on Whiskey Road in Delaware Township, New Jersey. The farm sat on a tri-parcel in current-day Cherry Hill NJ, bordered by roads now known as Chapel Avenue, Cooper Landing Road, and Kings Highway. John proudly served in the United States Marine Corps, 3rd Battalion Parris Island, earning an Honorable Discharge at the USMC E-4 enlisted rank of Corporal. John began raising his own family in the beloved “tenant house” of Lafferty Farm, then a few years later settled his family’s own epicenter in Voorhees Township, NJ. After his children were grown and pursuing their own lives, careers, and education, John settled into a humble home he loved very much in Williamstown NJ, where he eased into retirement and spent his most precious days and hours with family. John was a self-directed scholar of natural sciences, which he found endlessly fascinating and compelling. In a different version of his life he may have become a Ph.D or a researcher, but to us we are simply grateful he chose to be Dad.
Following in the path of his parents’ mammoth road construction business, John F. Lafferty and Sons, John himself became an expert heavy machine operator in his own career. Through long days and hours John’s skills built homes, paved highways, razed hazardous sites, graded green pastures from landscapes to cemeteries, opened up snowy roads in the dark of wintry mornings, and more. Through life, John’s reliable narratives and conversations were scaffolded on intricate, compelling facts and endless nuances; to speak with him even to his last breaths was to learn something new and amazing from a voice of encyclopedic knowledge and family history that will never be duplicated and is already deeply missed. John was an ambitiously well-read treasure of intellect and unique insight. In 84 years, he was unwavering in love for his family in a way we continue to discover, love, and appreciate.
John is survived by his children Steve Lafferty, Mark Lafferty (Shannon Langran-Lafferty), Kathleen Lafferty (Kathleen Shanahan), Paul Lafferty (Tara Matthews-Lafferty); loving sisters Mary Ann Wames (John) and Peggy Schwanda (Bill); sister-in-law Merri Lafferty and brother-in-law Mickey Griffin; and grandchildren Morgan, Owen, Emma, Lily, John Paul “J.P.”, and Brielle. He also leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. John was predeceased by his eldest son John F. Lafferty Jr.; sisters Agnes Stewart, Catherine DiPietro, Frances Grimley, Elizabeth Kerrigan, Eileen Griffin; and brother Daniel Lafferty.
Relatives and friends are welcome to services on Thursday, April 11 at Christ Our Light, 402 Kings Highway N., Cherry Hill NJ. Visitation is from 10:00AM to 11:00 AM. Funeral mass to begin at 11:00 AM followed by inurnment at New St. Mary Cemetery and Mausoleum, 515 W. Browning Road, Bellmawr NJ 08031.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in John’s name to Autism Speaks. Thank you and blessed be
John was born in Haddon Heights, NJ to the late John F. Lafferty and Theodosia Lafferty (nee Paulikas), to whom he was most beloved. John was admired and embraced deeply as a father and grandfather, cherished as a brother, endeared as an uncle, close in hearts as a cousin, and a true friend of many.
John’s early childhood was lived in Haddon Heights, NJ until the Lafferty family moved its heart and epicenter to the sprawling Lafferty Farm on Whiskey Road in Delaware Township, New Jersey. The farm sat on a tri-parcel in current-day Cherry Hill NJ, bordered by roads now known as Chapel Avenue, Cooper Landing Road, and Kings Highway. John proudly served in the United States Marine Corps, 3rd Battalion Parris Island, earning an Honorable Discharge at the USMC E-4 enlisted rank of Corporal. John began raising his own family in the beloved “tenant house” of Lafferty Farm, then a few years later settled his family’s own epicenter in Voorhees Township, NJ. After his children were grown and pursuing their own lives, careers, and education, John settled into a humble home he loved very much in Williamstown NJ, where he eased into retirement and spent his most precious days and hours with family. John was a self-directed scholar of natural sciences, which he found endlessly fascinating and compelling. In a different version of his life he may have become a Ph.D or a researcher, but to us we are simply grateful he chose to be Dad.
Following in the path of his parents’ mammoth road construction business, John F. Lafferty and Sons, John himself became an expert heavy machine operator in his own career. Through long days and hours John’s skills built homes, paved highways, razed hazardous sites, graded green pastures from landscapes to cemeteries, opened up snowy roads in the dark of wintry mornings, and more. Through life, John’s reliable narratives and conversations were scaffolded on intricate, compelling facts and endless nuances; to speak with him even to his last breaths was to learn something new and amazing from a voice of encyclopedic knowledge and family history that will never be duplicated and is already deeply missed. John was an ambitiously well-read treasure of intellect and unique insight. In 84 years, he was unwavering in love for his family in a way we continue to discover, love, and appreciate.
John is survived by his children Steve Lafferty, Mark Lafferty (Shannon Langran-Lafferty), Kathleen Lafferty (Kathleen Shanahan), Paul Lafferty (Tara Matthews-Lafferty); loving sisters Mary Ann Wames (John) and Peggy Schwanda (Bill); sister-in-law Merri Lafferty and brother-in-law Mickey Griffin; and grandchildren Morgan, Owen, Emma, Lily, John Paul “J.P.”, and Brielle. He also leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. John was predeceased by his eldest son John F. Lafferty Jr.; sisters Agnes Stewart, Catherine DiPietro, Frances Grimley, Elizabeth Kerrigan, Eileen Griffin; and brother Daniel Lafferty.
Relatives and friends are welcome to services on Thursday, April 11 at Christ Our Light, 402 Kings Highway N., Cherry Hill NJ. Visitation is from 10:00AM to 11:00 AM. Funeral mass to begin at 11:00 AM followed by inurnment at New St. Mary Cemetery and Mausoleum, 515 W. Browning Road, Bellmawr NJ 08031.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in John’s name to Autism Speaks. Thank you and blessed be