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John Joseph Rafferty
John Joseph Rafferty, loving husband of Aileen for over 58 years and father to John Jr. and Thomas, died on May 23, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. He was 84.
“Jack,” as he was known all his life, was born second child to John and Bea Rafferty, preceded by his sister, Patricia (Patty), followed by his brother Lawrence (Larry).
The family made their home in Sayville, and Rafferty attended Seton Hall High School in Patchogue, where he excelled at whatever sport he tried, focusing on football, basketball, and baseball.
He held the Long Island high school basketball scoring record until it was broken by Carl Yaztremski.
He continued his studies and his athletic pursuits, first at Georgetown University, and then at St. Joseph’s University, from which he graduated in 1961.
But his athletic passion centered around football. He was a strong-armed quarterback who, after college, caught on with a semi-pro team and, as the result of his play there, earned a tryout with his beloved New York Giants.
Though he didn’t make the team, he never held it against the Maras, the Giants, or Charlie Conerly, the Giants starting quarterback at the time.
Remaining in the Philadelphia area after graduation, Rafferty began a career in radio advertising sales there that would eventually return him to New York, hired by CBS, the Tiffany Network, to join their television ad sales team.
Owing to his inexhaustible people skills, his willingness to entertain in any and all of Manhattan’s best night spots, and, mostly to his unstinting competitiveness, according to his family, Rafferty didn’t stop until he was president of advertising sales.
It was quite a ride.
After he retired, he filled his time with a return to the sporting life. Golf, tennis, swimming, and, later, paddle tennis, became his more age-appropriate physical passions. And he never missed a game of his sons’, following their own busy athletic endeavors with a three-part mixture of pride, joy, and suggestion, his family said.
He was a longtime member of the New York Athletic Club and the Westhampton Country Club and could often be found in the locker room of either one, ready to bend your ear about a birdie putt he made about which you had never inquired.
He is survived by his wife, Aileen; and his son, Tom. He was predeceased by his sister, Patty; his brother, Larry; and his son, John Jr.
A funeral will be held on June 9 at Immaculate Conception Church in Westhampton Beach with a private burial to follow.
Staff Writer on Jun 5, 2023