Joseph J. Rafferty DDS's Obituary
Joseph James Rafferty, age 76, passed away in Muskegon, MI, on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. Joe was born in Muskegon on December 31, 1947, to James and Anneliese (Thaufelder) Rafferty. He graduated from Muskegon Catholic Central in 1966 and went on to receive his doctorate from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. On July 18, 1970, he married the former Linda Gawkowski, and the two of them spent many wonderful years building a family together before she preceded him in death in 2007. Fellow classmate and close friend, Phillip Witkowski, had dared him to ask Linda out, and the rest is history. Joe worked for 15 years at his own dental practice before becoming the dental director at Hackley Hospital, serving there for 25 years. While working there he was proud to provide dental services to underserved members of the community, such as AIDS patients, incarcerated persons, and children and families that were on Medicaid. He was a longtime member at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Muskegon, serving for many years on their finance board. He always did what he could to help others with their dental care. He enjoyed woodworking and using his laser engraving machine to make unique and personalized gifts for many people over the years. He was also quite tech savvy and liked playing games on his computer, but more than anything he loved spending time with his family.
Joe will be lovingly remembered by his three daughters: Katy (Jason) Kohley, Kerrin (Alan) VanWashenova, and Susan Rafferty; five grandchildren: Alaina and Logan Kohley, and Owen, Quinn, and Sloane VanWashenova; three siblings: Marianne Wentzloff Rafferty, James (Janet Larkin) Rafferty, and Thomas (Pamela) Rafferty; and a beloved grand-dog, Sophie. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Linda Rafferty.
A VISITATION will be taking place from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Friday, August 16, 2024, at The Walburn Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 1547 Sherman Blvd, Muskegon, MI, 49441. A FUNERAL MASS will be taking place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 2929 McCracken St, Muskegon, MI, 49441, with visitation taking place an hour prior. In lieu of flowers please consider making a memorial contribution to a charity of your choosing. Please sign the family’s online guestbook and share memories at sytsemafh.com
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