David Ross Caffery

David Ross Caffery (Dave) 82, of Woolwich Township, NJ, and formally West Milford, NJ passed away on November 19th after living many years with Alzheimers. He leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Carol Layton Caffery, two children David Caffery, Salt Lake City and Kristin Ciechon (Ed) from Woolwich Twp along with his three beloved grandchildren- Kyla, Korinne and Eddie.
Dave graduated from Rutgers University and obtained several masters degrees. While at Rutgers he was active in the glee club and was a member of the TKE fraternity. He taught middle school math and science for 36 years in Franklin Lakes, NJ, where he coached several sports. He was that teacher who could change the trajectory of a person’s life, a fact attested by the number of previous students and parents who called and sent letters of thanks years after being in his classroom.  He was known for his sense of humor and made learning fun. He retired in 1999 and moved quickly from the classroom to his many hobbies – piano, guitar, boating, fishing, ice fishing, metal detecting, golf, tennis, pickleball and cornhole. He loved music and sang in many church choirs. Later in life he was found gathering rocks, shells, trigs and roots and created pieces of art.
As a dad, Dave was always in the moment, experiencing life with his kids, accepting them as they were, but making tweaks wherever necessary. They always knew no matter what happened in life, he would be there with love.
Dave found his real calling later in life: He was a grandfather for the ages. He loved Kyla, Korinne and Eddie. He always made life fun with campfires, hikes, board games, treasure hunts, building snow forts, hide and seek, playing the piano, fishing, boating and continuously teasing them.
Dave was a quiet, gentle sole with a great sense of humor and quick wit. He  truly loved his family and cherished his many relatives. He spent many summers sharing his time in the Adirondacks with family and friends. He and his wife built their own cabin by hand on Paradox Lake, NY. It is still standing 52 years later. He also spent time on the beach in New Smyrna Beach, Florida where he hid coins and treasures for the younger generation to find with his metal detector.
Dave was the son of Joseph and Maude Caffery, brother of the late Betty (Art) Gibb, late Richard (Dolores) and still living Tom Caffery. He will be missed by all who knew him but will be remembered for all his wit, stories and love.
Come celebrate 82 years Saturday, January 6, 2024, to visit with family 10 -12 with the ‘Celebration of Life’ to follow at Daley Life Celebration Studio, Swedesboro, NJ. The family requests in lieu of flowers a donation in Dave’s memory can be sent to Alzheimer’s Disease Research Foundation. www.curealzfund.org/donate                (781)237-3800