Earl F Caffrey Jr. (94), of North Wales, formerly of Lansdale, passed away on July 17, 2023, at his residence, surrounded by family and loved ones.

He was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on February 26, 1929, to the late Earl F Caffrey Sr. and Marie (nee) Kilroy. Growing up, he lived in Philadelphia and spent summers at the Jersey Shore, primarily in Margate, Ventnor, and Atlantic City, where he made many lifelong friends and memories.

Earl attended school in Philadelphia and was a proud graduate of St. Joseph’s Preparatory School and St. Joseph’s College. Upon his graduation in 1951, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, one of the highlights of his life. After two years of active service, he continued as a Reservist and later stayed involved as a Coast Guard Alumni.

In 1954, Earl took a job with Commercial Credit Lending Group, which would not only be the start of his banking career, but also where he would meet his future wife, Cecilia (nee) Walsh.

They married in 1956, the same year that Earl started working for the Philadelphia National Bank. He would remain with the bank through many mergers and acquisitions until 1989.

In 1959, Earl and Ceil moved to North Wales and began to start their family. In 1966, with their family growing, they moved to Lansdale, PA, where they raised their seven children.  Earl’s love of the Jersey shore was something he wanted to impart to his children, which he did successfully. He and Ceil later purchased a summer home in Ocean City and spent many summers there with friends and family. 

During his career Earl was very involved in the Lansdale community. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, served as President of the Lansdale Chamber of Commerce, played an instrumental part on Lansdale’s Bicentennial Committee, served as a campaign manager for The North Penn United Way and sat on the Board of Directors for North Penn Hospital for many years, serving as its president from 1979 to 1982. During the 1980s he even “starred” in a commercial for Philadelphia National Bank and the release of the MAC card, earning him the title “Hollywood Handsome.”

After retiring from the bank, Earl took a position at North Penn Hospital as the Director of Development for four years.  Following that Earl and Ceil took up traveling for the winter months to Anna Maria Island, FL, a paradise they both loved and shared with many friends.

Earl was very devoted to his Catholic faith. He was an active member of St. Stanislaus Church and served on various fund-raising committees for both the Church and Lansdale Catholic High School. He also was an avid supporter of St. Joseph’s Prep, St. Joseph’s College, St. Malachy’s Church in Philadelphia, The Jesuits, and the Oblates of St. Francis. 

Earl will best be remembered for his love of family, love of friends, love of music, love of parties and his crazy jug band, where talent need not apply.   He played the mandolin, banjo, ukelele, and often traveled with a kazoo in his pocket just in case an opportunity presented, and it usually did.  He was an entertainer in his own right, regaling any captive ear with his stories and always throwing in a joke or two. He also had a love of the ocean and being the captain at the helm of any boat he could commandeer. Earl’s love of the United States Coast Guard and love for his country remained strong throughout his life. 

Earl was a devoted husband, father, brother-in-law, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend with a zest for life and a life well lived. 

He is survived by his Children: Terri Miller (Jack), Tricia Smith (Jeff), Mary Beth DiNunzio (Michael), Earl F Caffrey III, Matthew Caffrey (Adrienne), Thomas Caffrey (Colleen) and Jeanne Caffrey. Grandchildren: Colin Lepore (Gwen), Danny Lepore, Claire Lepore, Kelly Smith, Ryan Smith, Earl Caffrey IV, Jake Caffrey, McKenna Caffrey, Julia Caffrey, Aiden Caffrey, Sophie Caffrey, Eva Caffrey, Cecilia Caffrey, Thomas Caffrey and Norah Caffrey Great granddaughter: Sloane Lepore, Brother in-law: Thomas Walsh and Best friend of 90 plus years: Joseph Moore (wife Harriet) and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Ceil, daughter Eileen, granddaughter Christina, and his sister Claire Shinn.

Earl’s family will receive family and friends on Sunday, July 23, 2023 from 4:00pm – 6:00pm at Saint Stanislaus Church, 51 Lansdale Avenue, Lansdale, Pa.  The Caffrey family will also receive guests on Monday, July 24, 2023 from 9:00am – 10:45am, prior to the 11:00am Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Stanislaus Church, 51 Lansdale Avenue, Lansdale, Pa.  Interment will follow at St. John Neumann Cemetery, 3797 County Line Road, Chalfont Pa. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to one of the following or a charity of your choice.
• Grane Hospice Care, King of Prussia, Pa.
• St. Stanislaus Church, Lansdale, Pa.
• St. Joseph Preparatory School or St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, Pa.
• Jesuits, East USA Province, New York, N.Y.
• Oblates of St. Francis De Sales, Wilmington, Delaware