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November 19, 2010
John McCafferty, 66, of Dallas, died Friday, November 19, 2010, in the Kindred Hospital Wyoming Valley, Wilkes-Barre.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, U.K., John is a son of Agnes McAuley McCafferty, Glasgow, and the late John McCafferty.
Immigrating to the U.S. in 1969, John has lived in the Back Mountain Area.
In May 1971, he joined the PDM Co. Inc., which is the local franchisee of Burger King Restaurants. John was a driving force fueling PDM’s expansion, which now covers 17 Burger King Restaurants in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
His career spanned 37 years. He retired in 2008 as Vice President of Operations for the PDM Co. Inc.
John’s drive and dedication were not reserved solely for his professional life. He was instrumental in establishing the Dallas Area High School Soccer Program in 1981 and helped to propel that program to championship level. The program, under John’s tutelage, acquired a number of titles, including a 1986 District II Championship and State Quarter Finalist, 1987 Conference and District II Championship and PIAA State Finalist, 1989 District II and Southern Division Championship and State Playoffs, as well as 1991 District II and State Quarter Finalist.
Before his involvement, youth soccer and soccer clinics had basically been unheard of in the Wyoming Valley. Since the Dallas program enjoyed great success, this in turn had a ripple effect establishing the sport of soccer, not only in the Back Mountain Area, but giving it a solid foothold in the entire Northeastern Pennsylvania region.
Although his coaching endeavors ended in 1996, his influence will live on as he pioneered the sport of soccer in our area, building a legacy for generations of soccer enthusiasts.
Preceding John in death, in addition to his father, was a sister, Elsie McShane.
Surviving, in addition to his mother, are his wife, the former Leslie Strobel; daughter Liza Natitus and husband Frank, Perkasie, Pa.; son Steven McCafferty and wife Jessica, Dallas; grandchildren Dillan, Emily, Grace and Madelynn Natitus, and Bailey and Elsie McCafferty; brother Kenneth McCafferty and wife Carmen, Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.; niece Lynne McCafferty-McGuigan; and nephew Gerard McCafferty.
Funeral Services will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday from the Harold C. Snowdon Funeral Home Inc., 140 N. Main St., Shavertown. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 9:30 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church of the Immaculate Conception, 134 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre, with Monsignor Thomas V. Banick officiating. Interment will be made in Memorial Shrine Park, Carverton. Friends may call Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the future John McCafferty Memorial Soccer Scholarship Fund, c/o Wachovia Bank, 30 Memorial Highway, Dallas, PA 18612.
Condolences may be sent to the McCafferty family via e-mail at [email protected].