John Paul Rafter
AGE: 79 • Middletown
Red Bank Catholic's Coach Jack Rafter is going out a winner. John Paul Rafter, 79, of Middletown, died Monday, June 6, 2011 at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank. He was born in Newark, NJ and moved permanently to the New Jersey Shore area in1961. A proud alumnus of St. Benedict's Prep in Newark and of Seton Hall University, he became a history teacher and a coach for Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank, NJ for 45 years before retiring in 2006. He is known throughout the state as the "Father of Girls Track" and was instrumental in getting parochial schools admitted to the Shore Conference Athletic Association. He served as Director of Athletics from 1963-1979.
John was honored on the floor of the US House of Representatives by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 for having the most boys cross country victories in the nation. He was inducted into the NJ Sports Hall of Fame and the RBC Hall of Fame.
Surviving are his wife of 10 years, Antonia S. Malone; 3 daughters - Mary and husband Denis Gallagher, Margaret and husband William McMahon, and Colleen Rafter; 2 sons - John P. Rafter Jr. and wife Sharon, and Michael Rafter and wife Melissa; 10 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 6 step-sons, 3 step-daughters and 25 step-grandchildren.
John was predeceased by his first wife, Margaret A. Rafter, brothers Joseph and Edward Rafter and by his parents Joseph and Marie Rafter.
Visitation will be held Thursday, June 9, 2011 from 5 to 9 pm at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, 115 Tindall Road, Middletown. A Funeral Liturgy will be offered Friday at 10 am at St. Joseph's RC Church, 376 Maple Pl., Keyport. Burial will follow at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Sea Girt.
In lieu of flowers, the "Coach" requested that donations be sent to the St. Joseph's Haiti Parish Twinning Program, c/o St. Joseph's Church, Keyport.
For more information, to send condolences or for directions, please visit www.pflegerfh.com.
Published in Asbury Park Press on June 8, 2011