William James McCaffrey, a resident of Sterling Heights, Michigan, entered eternal life suddenly on May 14, 2008, in Exeter, Ontario. He was 73 years old.
William was born in Chicago, Illinois, September 13, 1934. He grew up in Grosse Pointe Shores and attended Grosse Pointe High School before graduating from The Bullis School in Silver Spring, Maryland, which was a prep school for students interested in attending one of the military academies. Following high school, he attended the U.S. Military Academy where he played end on West Point's varsity football team coached by the legendary, College Hall of Fame football coach, Earl Henry "Red" Blaik. In addition, through his athleticism and determination, he won the heavyweight boxing championship at West Point. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He later graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College and received his Masters of Political Science from the University of Kansas.
In 1958, following his graduation from West Point, Bill entered active duty service in the U.S. Army at the rank of Second Lieutenant and served his country for the next twenty years. During that time he graduated from U.S Army Rangers School and Airborne School. He was with the 82nd Airborne Division; 1st Calvary Division, Korea; 1st Special Forces (Green Beret) Okinawa, Korea, and China; U.S. Army Hqs. Europe, Germany; Battalion Commander, 3rd Infantry Division, Germany; Pentagon Office Chief of Staff Army; and eventually retired from the military in 1978 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Following his military career, he enjoyed a successful career in the insurance business where he served as a senior executive with some of the nations largest insurance brokerage firms. He retired in 2001 from Marsh & McLennan, Inc., the world's largest insurance broker. During his business career he served on the Detroit Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Detroit Athletic Club.
Bill's ability as a wordsmith, his historical knowledge, and his army experiences inspired him to write a book. The research required for this endeavor strengthened his interest in history and current events.
Perhaps most important to Bill was his time spent with family at his vacation home on Lake Huron. With humor and tenderness, he imparted important lessons of life to his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends who gathered around to enjoy his wit and wisdom.
His 14 grandchildren became the most cherished and joyful aspects of his life, as he enjoyed a special bond and love with each.
Retired Lt. Colonel U.S. Army. Bill is survived by his beloved wife Cindy McCaffrey, her sons Kevin and Brian Hock, his four children Bill (Patricia), Mike (Tricia), Celia (Chris) Schmidt, Michelle (Pat) Bresser, and their mother Nancy McCaffrey. He is also survived by his brothers John and Tom, and his sister Cecile Frederick, and his precious 14 grandchildren.
Visitation: Sunday, May 18, 2008, 2-9 pm with scripture service 7 pm at Chas. Verheyden Funeral Homes Inc., 16300 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe. In state Monday, May 19, 2008, 9:30 am until time of Mass at 10:00 am.
Funeral Service: Monday, May 19, 2008, at St. Paul on the Lake catholic Church, 157 Lake Shore Rd., Grosse Pointe Farms.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor, 1600 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
**AN IRISH BLESSING**
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon
your face, the rain fall soft
upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm
of His hand.
Amen.
William was born in Chicago, Illinois, September 13, 1934. He grew up in Grosse Pointe Shores and attended Grosse Pointe High School before graduating from The Bullis School in Silver Spring, Maryland, which was a prep school for students interested in attending one of the military academies. Following high school, he attended the U.S. Military Academy where he played end on West Point's varsity football team coached by the legendary, College Hall of Fame football coach, Earl Henry "Red" Blaik. In addition, through his athleticism and determination, he won the heavyweight boxing championship at West Point. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He later graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College and received his Masters of Political Science from the University of Kansas.
In 1958, following his graduation from West Point, Bill entered active duty service in the U.S. Army at the rank of Second Lieutenant and served his country for the next twenty years. During that time he graduated from U.S Army Rangers School and Airborne School. He was with the 82nd Airborne Division; 1st Calvary Division, Korea; 1st Special Forces (Green Beret) Okinawa, Korea, and China; U.S. Army Hqs. Europe, Germany; Battalion Commander, 3rd Infantry Division, Germany; Pentagon Office Chief of Staff Army; and eventually retired from the military in 1978 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Following his military career, he enjoyed a successful career in the insurance business where he served as a senior executive with some of the nations largest insurance brokerage firms. He retired in 2001 from Marsh & McLennan, Inc., the world's largest insurance broker. During his business career he served on the Detroit Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Detroit Athletic Club.
Bill's ability as a wordsmith, his historical knowledge, and his army experiences inspired him to write a book. The research required for this endeavor strengthened his interest in history and current events.
Perhaps most important to Bill was his time spent with family at his vacation home on Lake Huron. With humor and tenderness, he imparted important lessons of life to his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends who gathered around to enjoy his wit and wisdom.
His 14 grandchildren became the most cherished and joyful aspects of his life, as he enjoyed a special bond and love with each.
Retired Lt. Colonel U.S. Army. Bill is survived by his beloved wife Cindy McCaffrey, her sons Kevin and Brian Hock, his four children Bill (Patricia), Mike (Tricia), Celia (Chris) Schmidt, Michelle (Pat) Bresser, and their mother Nancy McCaffrey. He is also survived by his brothers John and Tom, and his sister Cecile Frederick, and his precious 14 grandchildren.
Visitation: Sunday, May 18, 2008, 2-9 pm with scripture service 7 pm at Chas. Verheyden Funeral Homes Inc., 16300 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe. In state Monday, May 19, 2008, 9:30 am until time of Mass at 10:00 am.
Funeral Service: Monday, May 19, 2008, at St. Paul on the Lake catholic Church, 157 Lake Shore Rd., Grosse Pointe Farms.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor, 1600 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
**AN IRISH BLESSING**
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon
your face, the rain fall soft
upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm
of His hand.
Amen.
William James McCaffrey, a resident of Sterling Heights, Michigan, entered eternal life suddenly on May 14, 2008, in Exeter, Ontario. He was 73 years old.
William was born in Chicago, Illinois, September 13, 1934. He grew up in Grosse Pointe Shores and attended Grosse Pointe High School before graduating from The Bullis School in Silver Spring, Maryland, which was a prep school for students interested in attending one of the military academies. Following high school, he attended the U.S. Military Academy where he played end on West Point's varsity football team coached by the legendary, College Hall of Fame football coach, Earl Henry "Red" Blaik. In addition, through his athleticism and determination, he won the heavyweight boxing championship at West Point. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He later graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College and received his Masters of Political Science from the University of Kansas.
In 1958, following his graduation from West Point, Bill entered active duty service in the U.S. Army at the rank of Second Lieutenant and served his country for the next twenty years. During that time he graduated from U.S Army Rangers School and Airborne School. He was with the 82nd Airborne Division; 1st Calvary Division, Korea; 1st Special Forces (Green Beret) Okinawa, Korea, and China; U.S. Army Hqs. Europe, Germany; Battalion Commander, 3rd Infantry Division, Germany; Pentagon Office Chief of Staff Army; and eventually retired from the military in 1978 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Following his military career, he enjoyed a successful career in the insurance business where he served as a senior executive with some of the nations largest insurance brokerage firms. He retired in 2001 from Marsh & McLennan, Inc., the world's largest insurance broker. During his business career he served on the Detroit Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Detroit Athletic Club.
Bill's ability as a wordsmith, his historical knowledge, and his army experiences inspired him to write a book. The research required for this endeavor strengthened his interest in history and current events.
Perhaps most important to Bill was his time spent with family at his vacation home on Lake Huron. With humor and tenderness, he imparted important lessons of life to his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends who gathered around to enjoy his wit and wisdom.
His 14 grandchildren became the most cherished and joyful aspects of his life, as he enjoyed a special bond and love with each.
Retired Lt. Colonel U.S. Army. Bill is survived by his beloved wife Cindy McCaffrey, her sons Kevin and Brian Hock, his four children Bill (Patricia), Mike (Tricia), Celia (Chris) Schmidt, Michelle (Pat) Bresser, and their mother Nancy McCaffrey. He is also survived by his brothers John and Tom, and his sister Cecile Frederick, and his precious 14 grandchildren.
Visitation: Sunday, May 18, 2008, 2-9 pm with scripture service 7 pm at Chas. Verheyden Funeral Homes Inc., 16300 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe. In state Monday, May 19, 2008, 9:30 am until time of Mass at 10:00 am.
Funeral Service: Monday, May 19, 2008, at St. Paul on the Lake catholic Church, 157 Lake Shore Rd., Grosse Pointe Farms.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor, 1600 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
**AN IRISH BLESSING**
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon
your face, the rain fall soft
upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm
of His hand.
Amen.
William was born in Chicago, Illinois, September 13, 1934. He grew up in Grosse Pointe Shores and attended Grosse Pointe High School before graduating from The Bullis School in Silver Spring, Maryland, which was a prep school for students interested in attending one of the military academies. Following high school, he attended the U.S. Military Academy where he played end on West Point's varsity football team coached by the legendary, College Hall of Fame football coach, Earl Henry "Red" Blaik. In addition, through his athleticism and determination, he won the heavyweight boxing championship at West Point. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He later graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College and received his Masters of Political Science from the University of Kansas.
In 1958, following his graduation from West Point, Bill entered active duty service in the U.S. Army at the rank of Second Lieutenant and served his country for the next twenty years. During that time he graduated from U.S Army Rangers School and Airborne School. He was with the 82nd Airborne Division; 1st Calvary Division, Korea; 1st Special Forces (Green Beret) Okinawa, Korea, and China; U.S. Army Hqs. Europe, Germany; Battalion Commander, 3rd Infantry Division, Germany; Pentagon Office Chief of Staff Army; and eventually retired from the military in 1978 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Following his military career, he enjoyed a successful career in the insurance business where he served as a senior executive with some of the nations largest insurance brokerage firms. He retired in 2001 from Marsh & McLennan, Inc., the world's largest insurance broker. During his business career he served on the Detroit Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Detroit Athletic Club.
Bill's ability as a wordsmith, his historical knowledge, and his army experiences inspired him to write a book. The research required for this endeavor strengthened his interest in history and current events.
Perhaps most important to Bill was his time spent with family at his vacation home on Lake Huron. With humor and tenderness, he imparted important lessons of life to his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends who gathered around to enjoy his wit and wisdom.
His 14 grandchildren became the most cherished and joyful aspects of his life, as he enjoyed a special bond and love with each.
Retired Lt. Colonel U.S. Army. Bill is survived by his beloved wife Cindy McCaffrey, her sons Kevin and Brian Hock, his four children Bill (Patricia), Mike (Tricia), Celia (Chris) Schmidt, Michelle (Pat) Bresser, and their mother Nancy McCaffrey. He is also survived by his brothers John and Tom, and his sister Cecile Frederick, and his precious 14 grandchildren.
Visitation: Sunday, May 18, 2008, 2-9 pm with scripture service 7 pm at Chas. Verheyden Funeral Homes Inc., 16300 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe. In state Monday, May 19, 2008, 9:30 am until time of Mass at 10:00 am.
Funeral Service: Monday, May 19, 2008, at St. Paul on the Lake catholic Church, 157 Lake Shore Rd., Grosse Pointe Farms.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor, 1600 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
**AN IRISH BLESSING**
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon
your face, the rain fall soft
upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm
of His hand.
Amen.
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