John W Rafferty

Born Dec. 4, 1925, in Hartford, son of James and Theresa Rafferty. He and family moved several times during his career coast to coast, with the last 14 years in Oregon.

John honorably served in the U.S. Army; in World War II he participated in the Normandy invasion and later served in the Korean War. He was a pioneer in the computer industry. He held key positions in Hamilton Standard, the Rand Corporation, SDC and IBM, where he retired in 1990. He worked on top secret assignments with Lawrence Livermore Labs, Stanford Linear Accelerator, Lockheed Missiles, Air Traffic Controls, NASA and software development of JOVIAL and COBAL.

John married Olga Komanetsky in August 1948. They enjoyed traveling to visit family in the U.S. and internationally.

John is survived by his children, daughters, Colleen Rafferty and husband, Norman Beres, Cheryl Rafferty, and son, Gary Rafferty and wife, Barbara Rafferty; three step-grandchildren, John Haines, Kristin Beres and Lisa Tholen.

He was preceded in death by his son, John Rafferty Jr.; brother, James Rafferty; and sister, Rosalie Welch.

In addition to his family, his passion was for golf which he expertly and regularly played up until the last month of his life.

At John’s request, his body is being cremated. A memorial service will be held on Oct. 22, at 10 a.m., at Saint Matthew Catholic Church, 120 Church Ave, Bristol CT where he and wife were married 68 years ago.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John’s honor to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.