Cutchogue Fire Department and the Cutchogue community are mourning the death of Commissioner and ex-chief Andrew McCaffery, who died Saturday after a battle with cancer. He was 41 years old.
McCaffery also served as deputy fire coordinator for Suffolk County and was the current president of the Suffolk County parade and drill team captain’s association.
He was a 24-year member of the Cutchogue Fire Department, and was a charter member of the Cutchogue Fire Department Juniors, which he joined in 1991.
He served in various leadership capacities throughout the years and rose through the chiefs ranks to serve as chief of the department in 2009-2010, according to the fire department.
He was elected fire commissioner in 2013, a position he continued to serve.
“Throughout his time in the department he was an active and proud participant with the CFD Panthers Drill team, and was an ex-captain of the team,” the Cutchogue Fire Department said on its website.
“Drew was an instrumental part of the team during some of the Panthers’ most successful years, that included being the team’s hydrant man during the 1996 season when the Panthers returned to the track as a motorized team. That same year they were crowned the Suffolk County total points champions for the efficiency contest,” the department said.
McCaffery is survived by his wife Lauren, his father ex-chief Francis B. McCaffery Jr. and mother Carol, his brother Michael and sister Lynn Stevens.
Visitation will take place on Tuesday, August 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday, August 16, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Defriest-Grattan Funeral Home, 13805 Main Road, Mattituck. Firematic services will be held on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Funeral services with firematic honors will take place on Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Our Lady of Ostrabrama Church, Depot Lane, Cutchogue. Father Peter Narkiewicz will officiate.
Interment will take place at Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery in Cutchogue.
Those wishing to remember Drew in a special way can make a contribution to the Cutchogue Fire Department or East End Hospice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
