James Lafferty

James (Jim) E. Lafferty, beloved father and husband, passed away October 18, 2009 in Fort Collins, Colorado with family by his side after a long illness. Jim was born on January 18, 1935 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After graduating from high school, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Korea for three years. After his honorable discharge from the Army, Jim returned home to Philadelphia and attended La Salle University, graduating in 1965 with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. While completing his degree at La Salle, Jim worked as a salesman for Weyerhauser Corporation in New Jersey. It was at Weyerhauser where Jim met his wife of 43 years, Judy. They were married in Riverside, New Jersey at St. Peters Church on June 20, 1964. In 1972, Judy and Jim purchased and moved to an 80-acre farm in central Pennsylvania near Gratz. Throughout the years, Jim worked as a farmer and salesman. After retiring, Jim and Judy sold their farm in 1993 and moved to Philadelphia to be closer to family. After their retirement they enjoyed traveling and visited various countries including Russia, China, Kenya, Holland, Mexico, Israel, and Egypt. Judy and Jim moved to Fort Collins in August 2005. Jim was a compassionate person who was always willing to help others. He was very generous and believed in the power of a bouquet of flowers to brighten someone's day. Jim always had a story to tell and an ear to listen when someone had a problem. He will be missed by all those whose life he brightened with his sense of humor and ready smile. Jim had a way of making those around him feel special with small gifts and more importantly with the gift of his attention. Jim was a dedicated father and grandfather and he will truly be missed by his family. Jim is survived by his daughter Faith Hann and son-in-law Mike Hann of Phillipsburg, New Jersey; his daughter April Lafferty and son-in-law Dan Cenderelli of Fort Collins; and his grandchildren Taryn Hann, Paige Hann, Caleb Cenderelli, and Kira Cenderelli. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Judy, and his parents, Gertrude and Edmund Lafferty. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated for Jim at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 7th, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fort Collins. Graveside services will be at Northwood Cemetery in Philadelphia at a later date. The family would like to give special thanks to Pathways Hospice and Rehabilitation and Nursing Center of the Rockies for the care, compassion, and comfort they provided. The family also appreciated the care and kindness the nurses and staff of Good Samaritan Village and Centre Avenue Health and Rehabilitation provided Jim in the past few years. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in Jim's name to Pathways Hospice, 305 Carpenter Road, Fort Collins, CO 80525.