Obituary of Gregory Jack McCaffrey

July 6, 1951 – Lethbridge, Alberta

November 6, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Gregory “Greg” McCaffrey, beloved husband of Judy McCaffrey (nee Smith) of Calgary, AB, and father of Phillip McCaffrey of Toronto, ON, passed away on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at the age of 73 years.

Greg met the love of his life, Judy, in 1976, married in 1980, and later adopted their son Phillip in 1986.

Greg was born in Lethbridge, AB, and later moved to study Geophysics at the University of Calgary. Greg became a highly successful executive in the oil business, serving as President of Ultramar Canada in 1978, then transferred to Ultramar Australia from 1991 to 1992. He returned to Calgary in 1992 and soon retrained for a career in information technology, working for EnCana and later as an independent consultant until 2018.

He was an active and engaged community leader, serving as a board member of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) and as President of the Confederation Villas. He was also a long-time member of the Al-Anon Family Group.

Greg loved working with his hands and enjoyed woodworking, fiber crafts, and wool spinning. He was intensely interested in music, collecting a large library of songs and attending many concerts and festivals. He was also a passionate reader, especially enjoying history and mystery. Greg was a devoted companion to his beloved dogs, Whitefoot, Cagney, Lacey, and Ginger, who was by his bedside in hospice until his death.

In addition to his wife Judy and son Phillip, Greg is survived by his nephew Jeff Scraba and his wife Michelle Sorensen of Memphis, Tennessee; and his nieces Brigid Hogan and husband Brendan McCracken of Boulder, Colorado, Celeste Cousins and husband Thomas of Oceanside, California. He is also fondly remembered by special family friends, the “Penner Clan”, Mark, Margaret, Yvonne and Ken, Dave and Cher, and Becky and Vic, of Chilliwack, BC.

Greg was predeceased by his father Jack, his mother Gwen, his brother Bill, and his cousin Suzanne Gibson.

During his illness, there have been so many extended family members and friends who showed amazing love and support through Greg’s difficult journey with cancer.

A Celebration of Greg’s Life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB) on Friday, December 6, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Greg’s service streamed live (see link below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Calgary Humane Society, 4455 – 110^th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB  T2C 2T7, Telephone: (403) 205-4455, www.calgaryhumane.ca, or A.A.R.C.S. – Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society, 5060 – 74th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2C 3C9, Telephone: (403) 250-7377, www.aarcs.ca/donate.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Greg’s family here.
 

In living memory of Gregory “Greg” McCaffrey, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-276-2296.

Click to Sign the Video Guest Book and Watch Greg's Celebration of Life