William Raymond Craffey

Friends and family are deeply saddened by the passing of William R. Craffey on June 2nd. Born in Roxbury, Mass., on February 26th, 1920, Bill's life spanned three centuries, from the births of his Irish parents in 1869 and '70, to his own peaceful death at his Escondido home attended by his two sons. Given such a span of years, his life's highlights were many. His childhood was defined by poverty and struggle during the Great Depression, as well as by the love and support of his close-knit Irish family and their ethnically mixed immigrant neighbors. Bill enlisted in the Army National Guard in his teens and once participated in a war games exercise in which his unit captured the forces of General George S. Patton. He was called up to patrol property on Cape Cod against looting after the deadly hurricane of September, 1938. After high school, hoping to earn his pilot's license, Bill joined the Coast Guard, which was taken over by the Navy during World War II. He served in territories as far-flung as Greenland, the Philippines, and the South Pacific and was demobilized after the war in the San Francisco Bay Area, where his heart had been stolen by lovely 2nd-generation Californian, Dorothea Jung. Bill never resided again in New England, trading snowy winters for sunny beaches and crafting a successful post-war career in the glass business in Southern California. A caring, generous man who loved people, parties, dancing, and travel, give Bill 5 minutes and he could make friends with anyone. His passions included his family, friends, playing golf into his 90s, the Red Sox, the Patriots, playing softball into his 80s, and a nightly toddy—not necessarily in that order. Bill is survived by sons William Thomas and Brynn, and daughter-in-law Karen; grandchildren Thomas (spouse, Carissa), Leah (spouse Matteo), and Matthew; great grandchildren Leonardo, Judith, Sophia, and Annabella; and many, many beloved nephews, nieces, cousins, and more, who span the continental US and beyond, as well as a huge circle of friends. All interested people are invited to a rosary to be said on June 16th, at 10:00am, followed by a service at 11:00 at Allen Brothers mortuary, 435 N. Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos, 92069. A reception will follow. Interment of Bill's ashes will be in a private ceremony at a later time. In lieu of flowers, please donate to either the Escondido Humane Society or Boys' Town (see below).

William Raymond Craffey

February 26, 1920 - June 2, 2015