HR209: Celebrating the life of Lieutenant Commander Brian Edward McCaffrey, USCG, Ret.

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 209

Offered March 5, 2020
Celebrating the life of Lieutenant Commander Brian Edward McCaffrey, USCGR, Ret.
Patron-- Roem

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Commander Brian Edward McCaffrey, USCGR, Ret., distinguished veteran of the United States Coast Guard, loyal colleague, and beloved member of the Gainesville community, died on August 12, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Brian McCaffrey was born in Schenectady, New York, on April 17, 1953, to Edward McCaffrey and Lydia Fisher McCaffrey; he was a devoted husband to his wife, Margaret McCaffrey, and brother to the late Kathleen Bargy; and

WHEREAS, Brian McCaffrey served his country in the United States Coast Guard in many duty stations, both as a marine inspector in Cleveland, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; and Hampton Roads and as a deck qualification exam writer at the Coast Guard Institute in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and

WHEREAS, Brian McCaffrey was sent on temporary additional duty to assist with the Cuban boatlift in 1980, an assignment for which he received the United States Humanitarian Service Medal, which is awarded to U.S. military service members who exhibit meritorious direct participation in a significant military act or operation of a humanitarian nature that is approved by the United States Department of Defense or the department governing the respective service; and

WHEREAS, Brian McCaffrey served in the United States Coast Guard Reserve at MSO Chicago and MSO Milwaukee, and later served in the Fifth Coast Guard District in Hampton Roads after taking a civilian employment position; and

WHEREAS, Brian McCaffrey served at the United States Navy Military Sealift Command in 1991 and was a very knowledgeable contributor with expertise in shipboard safety and training due to his distinguished experience in the United States Coast Guard Reserve; and

WHEREAS, Brian McCaffrey retired from the United States Coast Guard Reserve in 1998 as a lieutenant commander after years of uncompromising devotion to duty and service and relocated to Northern Virginia to dedicate himself to civilian public service; and

WHEREAS, Brian McCaffrey ended his federal civilian career in 2017 having served as Safety Director for the United States Navy Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, Brian McCaffrey enjoyed working on and restoring classic cars such as his 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Classic and shared his love of cars with friends and neighbors; and

WHEREAS, Brian McCaffrey was a close and devoted friend to many and would reach out to mentor colleagues and friends to ensure they were doing well, going out of his way to offer his thoughtful support; and

WHEREAS, Brian McCaffrey was an empathetic listener with extremely high moral values, always open and sensitive to the opinion and circumstances of others whom he encountered, either personally or professionally; and

WHEREAS, Brian McCaffrey was fiercely loyal and devoted to those he loved, especially his loving wife, best friend, and partner in life, Margaret McCaffrey; and

WHEREAS, Brian McCaffrey was a man of strong convictions who was a proponent of peace; devoutly religious and committed to his Catholic faith, he exemplified the values of patience, kindness, and modesty; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Lieutenant Commander Brian Edward McCaffrey, USCGR, Ret.; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Margaret McCaffrey, as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for the memory of Lieutenant Commander Brian Edward McCaffrey, USCGR, Ret.