John Martin Raftery, a life-long resident of Lynn, passed away in the NSMC Salem Hospital on Monday, May 15, 2018 at the age of 82. Born in Lynn in 1936, he was the son of the late Patrick J. and Ellen T. (O’Brien) Raftery. John was raised and educated in Lynn. He attended St. Mary’s school for many years before graduating from Lynn Classical High School with Class of 1953. He went on to enlist into the US Army to help fight for our country until his honorable discharge as a veteran in November of 1957. John married his sweetheart, Patricia A. Allen and the couple has spent over 50 years in marriage and love together. John worked for many years as the Assistant Clerk of Courts for Salem Superior Courts until his retirement in 2002. He was a one-time member of the AmVets Post 161 Franco American club in Lynn but John’s true passion was always spending time with his grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, John leaves his daughter; Ellen Raftery-Ernst and her husband, Andrew of Marblehead as well as his grandchildren; Andrew John “AJ” Ernst and Emily P. Ernst, both of Marblehead. He also leaves his siblings: Thomas Raftery and Anna Loughlin, both of Peabody, and Theresa Elliot of Burlington. John was preceded in death by his siblings; Patrick J. “Joe” Rafferty, Jr, Helene W. Rafferty, and Mary Spates. Many nieces and nephews also survive him.
A Funeral Mass will be held in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 17 Grove St. Lynnfield, MA at on Friday, May 18, 2018 at 11am. Visiting Hours will be held in the Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home, 157 Maple St. Lynn on Friday prior to the Mass from 8 to 10am. In lieu of flowers, contributions in John’s memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
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