Joseph W. Rafferty

Joseph W. Rafferty, 82, DuBois, passed away Sunday, June 17, 2018, at Penn Highlands DuBois.

Born October 29, 1935, in DuBois, he was the eldest son of the late Wilfrid “Fred” and Lois M. (Smiley) Rafferty.

Joseph was a graduate of the 1953 class of Brady High School in Luthersburg, PA. In 1955, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Joseph served his country for 20 years and retired in 1975. In 1958, Joseph fell in love with and married the former Miss Margaret A. Fleming in Riverside, California. This union lasted 59 years; they would have celebrated their 60th anniversary in July.

Joseph enjoyed restoring and showing Buick cars and studying his family’s genealogy. He served on the board and was a member of the Clearfield County Historical Society. Joseph was a lifetime member of the VFW, American Legion, and the Falls Creek Eagles.

Joseph and Margaret had four children, Patrick Rafferty and Peter Shott, San Francisco, California, Margaret Rafferty, Riverside, California, Michael (Kelsey) Rafferty, Greensburg, and Sean (Barbara) Rafferty, Walkersville, MD; eight grandchildren, Erin, Meaghan, Colin, Devin, Kayla, Lauren, Noah, and Elijah, and five great-grandchildren, Mason, Cora, Eleanor, Liam, and Baylee. He is also survived by his brother, James Allan “Al” (Carol) Rafferty, DuBois, and Mary (John) Ferguson, Treasure Lake.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Dorothy Spencer, and a sister, Lois Ann Rafferty.

All services are private and under the direction of Adamson Funeral Chapel, Inc.

Memorial donations may be made in Joseph’s name to any veteran’s organization.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.adamsonfuneral.com.