PRIVATE THOMAS PHILLIP CAFFREY; U.S. ARMY

December 26, 1888 (Norwalk, CT) – October 2, 1918; 29 years old
Unmarried
Last local address: 79 Winfield Street, East Norwalk
Entered the service on July 13, 1918
Serial number 3590231
Unit: 2 Company, Coast Artillery Corps, Narragansett Bay, Fort Adams, Rhode Island

Unable to find information on his parents or siblings. Next of kin was a cousin, Miss Anna Hurley of Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.


Worked as a lineman for Lakewood Park Corporation of Waterbury.


Died from catarrhal pneumonia at Fort Adams, Rhode Island. More than likely related to the Spanish Influenza outbreak.


From The Yonkers Herald October 7, 1918

The body of Thomas P. Caffrey arrived here from a military camp at 3 p.m. yesterday and was escorted to the Hurley residence on Broadway, where the deceased made his home, by a detail consisting of three squads of Home Guardsmen, under command of Lieutenant Andrus. Four Guardsmen acted as pallbearers. They were: Sergeant James A. Collins, Privates Martin Limekiller, John J. Grady, and Malachy Grady. Funeral services were held at St. Matthew’s R.C. Church this morning at 9 o’clock. Reverend Thomas O’Keefe officiated. Interment was made in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. The deceased was reported as having died from an attack of influenza or contagious pneumonia. He was a telegraph lineman by trade, although before entering the service he was employed at the Hastings Pavement Works. Because of a slight imperfection in one of his eyes, although a splendid specimen of manhood, he was unable to enlist when war was first declared. later he entered the service in the draft. Private Caffrey was 25 years old and unmarried.


Private Caffrey is buried at Saint Joseph Cemetery, Yonkers, New York

Through numerous conversations with cemetery staff, it has been determined that Private Caffrey is definitely buried at Saint Joseph’s Cemetery, however, the exact plot isn’t known for certain. It’s likely he is in the Hurley plot as Anna Hurley of Hastings-on-Hudson, his cousin, is also listed as his next of kin. The marker for the Hurley plot in the cemetery does not include an inscription for Private Caffrey, nor for Anna Hurley.


Honor Roll plaque at 7 Maple Avenue, Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. Photos from hmdb.org.

Honor Roll Marker
Honor Roll Marker

END

Published by jeffd1121

USAF retiree. Veteran advocate. Committed to telling the stories of those who died while in the service of the country during wartime.

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