Paul R. McClafferty

Paul R. McClafferty,  January 7, 1925 — May 2, 2022

Paul R. McClafferty, age 97, of Mullica Hill, NJ, formerly of Springfield, PA, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2022.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA, he was the son of the late Samuel Jefferson and Mary (née Quigley) McClafferty.

Paul was the beloved husband of 69 years of the late Emma M. (née Scherych) McClafferty; the loving father of Jeffrey McClafferty (Nan) and Jennifer Casper (Jamie); the proud grandfather of Emma and Elizabeth McClafferty and Paulina and Rebecca Casper; and the uncle of Beth Taylor. He was predeceased by his siblings, James McClafferty, Wilford McClafferty, and Grace Mooney, as well as his cousin, Robert McClafferty.

Leaving high school in the tenth grade, Paul enlisted and served, honorably, as a motor machinist mate second class in the U.S. Navy, aboard the LST 695 during World War II in the Asia Pacific Theater.  Years later, he wrote a detailed memoir of his wartime experience.

On the GI Bill, Paul finished high school and was graduated from Carnegie Institute of Technology. He then began his 45-year career with Babcock & Wilcox, first as a mechanical engineer overseeing the installation of industrial boilers in the steel industry and ultimately as regional account leader for the Northeast.

Paul enjoyed golf and was a long time member of Rolling Green Golf Club.  He was an accomplished woodworker, creating cabinets, decorative frames and toys, and he enjoyed many other hobbies including home construction projects, photography, watercolor painting, and model railroading.  He was an avid reader, loved classical and jazz music and enjoyed travelling with his wife, friends and family. 

Spending time with his family was paramount to Paul, as well as tracking the academic and athletic endeavors and successes of his grandchildren.  He had a unique sense of humor, treasured his wife, Emma’s companionship, her good cooking, and a Manhattan before dinner!  In his later years, he could always be found in the family room or out on the back porch -- contented (or sometimes fired up) in conversation, listening to radio programs or music, or just relaxing.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation Saturday, May 14, 2022, 12:30 – 1:30 PM at St. Dorothy Church, 4910 Township Line Road, Drexel Hill, PA  19026, followed by his Funeral Mass at 1:30 PM.  Interment SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Paul’s memory to St. Dorothy Church, at the above address, would be appreciated.