Rev. James F. Rafferty

Rev. James F. Rafferty, of Boston, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at Regina Cleri Residence for Retired Priests of the Archdiocese of Boston. He was 86.

Fr. Jim was born in Boston on July 31, 1937, and was the son of the late James F. and Anna C. (Lynch) Rafferty.

Ordained a priest of Jesus Christ February 2, 1963, in his home parish, Holy Name in West Roxbury. Fr. Jim was a graduate from St. John's Seminary. He received his degree of Doctor of Ministry from Andover-Newton Theological School. Fr. Jim was a member of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education. Several articles had been published by Father Rafferty, such as "The Spiritual Care of the Seriously Ill." He served from parish ministry to chaplaincies, one being at the University of MA at Boston as Catholic Campus Minister. In the early eighties he became Associate Director for the program of pastoral preparation at the North American College in Rome.

In 1986, Fr. Jim was called to serve in the parish of St. Malachy's in Burlington as pastor until 1994. He then served in St. Paul's Parish in Hingham as pastor from 1994 to 2012. He was administrator to St. Paul's School. One of his pet projects was a life-sized statue of St. Paul to enhance the church garden area, created by a local sculptor. Also, many improvements and restorations took place in and around the church under Fr. Jim’s supervision and with the boundless support of his parishioners. 

After 18 years as Pastor of St. Paul's, Fr. Jim joined St. Albert the Great Parish in Weymouth as a Senior Priest in Residence. There he celebrated with family and friends his 50th anniversary of the ordination to the priesthood.

After a few years, St. Peter’s in Plymouth was happy to receive Fr. Jim as Senior Priest in Residence, joining Pastor Fr. Bill Williams in pastoral duties. 

He retired from active full-time ministry, and moved to Regina Cleri Residence where he lived in companionship with retired priests from the Archdiocese of Boston. It was there where Fr. Jim celebrated his 60th year serving our Lord. 

Fr. Jim cherished his priesthood, his priest friends, and his extended family, which included numerous cousins who relished his presence at holiday and summer gatherings. A gifted athlete and an aficionado of classical music, Fr. Jim enjoyed skiing, sailing, and cycling, and held seasons tickets to the Boston Symphony Orchestra for many years. But the church was always the center of his life and he sought to be a warm, pastoral presence in the parishes where he served.

Fr. Jim was predeceased by his parents, his aunt and uncle: John A. and Catherine T. Martin, and cousins: Mary Baker, Jack Martin and Rosemary Motta. He is survived by Kathleen Van Deusen, Tony Van Deusen, Kevin Baker – Godson, Margaret (Peg) Walsh of Milton and family, the families of the late Edmund Brunnock and Eileen Brunnock Sanuth, Tara Coulson of Weymouth and family, and Michael Maclean of San Clemente, CA, and Alison Maclean of Pembroke.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Monday, July 15, 2024, 4-7 PM in St. Paul’s Church, 147 North St., Hingham. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 11 AM in St. Paul’s Church, 147 North St., Hingham. 

Services will conclude with interment in Holyhood Cemetery, Brookline.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Fr. Rafferty’s name to the Boston Catholic Appeal: Forward in Faith by clicking here.