It seems appropriate to me, on this Father's Day a year later, to include the tribute to Will that Meagan posted after he died in 2023. She really captured him and it is a lasting acknowledgement of what they meant to each other.
My dad, Will Rafferty, died peacefully this morning, with his wife and my stepmom, Winnie, by his side. It was exactly one month before his 70th birthday. My dad was smart and funny, with a memory like a steel trap for trivia of all sorts, but especially song lyrics and plot details and casts of stupid movies. He was everyone’s phone-a-friend before we all had Google and Shazam in our pockets. My dad was a music aficionado and a world-class steering wheel/arm rest/tabletop/belly drummer. He was a fan of good food, enjoyed good beer, but he was never particularly picky or snooty about either (except for the timing—when he was hangry, it was time to find that man a meal). My dad was a good guy, a good buddy, and a great party guest. He was an epic storyteller, and he could tell a tale of something that happened 65 years ago with the same emotion as if it had happened an hour ago. He had a sharp wit and couldn’t help but blurt out a good pun, which made him an unmatched purveyor of dad jokes. My dad was quirky, particular about odd things, but he was loving and fiercely loyal to his people. He could always be counted on to show up, whether you needed a hand or just wanted to hang. My dad taught me how to think for myself, how to work hard, and how to find joy in the simple things. He found joy in drinking a good cheap beer, in showing off his Hard Rock Cafe t-shirts, in identifying a passing ship or boat, and in the last couple of weeks, even in eating the hospital soup. He was intellectually curious, always reading and learning new things, frequently challenging his own preconceptions. Several years back, I started calling him Pops, somewhat ironically at first, but it stuck, and he wore it proudly, often signing his texts to me, “Love, Pops.” He always went out of his way to make sure I knew he loved me and was proud of me. And I always knew. I love you, too, Pops.
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