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Leo Cafferty of Corrales, passed away June 20, 2024. He was born Sept. 8, 1927, to Peter and Mary Cafferty in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Leo grew up during the Great Depression as a farm boy and the second youngest of 8 children. The trials of the period would influence him for the rest of his life. During the depths of the depression, the bright spot that gave hope for the future was a radio, which connected the family to the world, and Leo was intensely interested in figuring out how it worked. Leo’s education included a one-room schoolhouse, St John’s Catholic School, Baraboo schools, and the University of Wisconsin in Madison where Leo earned a mechanical engineering degree in 1952. After working a few months as an engineer for Shell, Leo was drafted into the army for the Korean War. Leo married Rosemary Dirienzo in 1954 and later they settled in Corrales, where they designed, built and landscaped a home and raised four children (Maureen, Lee, Colleen, and Jeaneen).

Leo and Rosemary divorced in the early 1970s. On January 1, 1977, Leo married Lucille Larrabee (Hafertepe) and she and her son, John, moved to Corrales. Lucy and Leo would be together for 32 years, until 2008, when Lucy passed away.

Leo’s book of memoirs is called “Tales of Farm and Family” and was published in 2017 for his 90th Birthday.

Leo was preceded in death by his parents, all his siblings, and his two wives. His children survive him: Maureen Cafferty in NM, Lee (Susan) Cafferty in Arkansas, Colleen Cafferty in Arkansas, Jeaneen Cafferty in California, and John Larrabee in Colorado; grandchildren: Danielle Sedillo-Cafferty, Shawn Cafferty-Lueck, Tanner Larrabee, and friend Lucille McIntire, Leo’s dance partner and travel companion since 2010.

Service will be Sept. 9, at 2 p.m., at Daniel’s Funeral Home, Sara Chapel.

In lieu of flowers please donate to “IETF” International Essential Tremor Foundation or The Nature Conservancy.