A larger-than-life spirit is "soaring with the eagles", as he would say. John Patrick McCaffrey, 69, of Closter, NJ passed away peacefully on January 28, 2026, surrounded by his family. Loving father to Michelle (& Matt), Johnny (& Alexa), James (& Jess), and Patrick (& Emily) — and proud grandpa to Layla and Ruby. Beloved son of the late Donald J. and Alma C. McCaffrey, brother of Robert and Carolyn, and the late James and Thomas. Forever loved by his nieces and nephews TJ, Michael, Galen, Olivia and the late Dorian John.

John spent a glorious life in Closter and will forever be a part of the town's history. In his youth he played ice hockey on Ruckman Pond, swam on the team at the Closter Swim Club, and excelled at baseball and football at Northern Valley Demarest. He attended SUNY Delhi and avidly studied horticulture (before being expelled for pranking the dean!). A deep affinity for his Swiss heritage undoubtedly drew him to a lovely Swiss girl named Ruth, who he married in 1982 and created a family.

What John may be known most for is his passion for landscaping and love of nature. He had an active lawn mowing enterprise. He purchased his first landscaping truck in high school. In 1978, he and brother Bob started Alpine Gardens, known all over Bergen County for ambitious and artistic large-scale landscape design. In 1999, John took over stewardship of the MacBain Farm Park, Bergen County's only community farm open to residents to pick vegetables, volunteer in the gardens, and partake in the joy of farm life. For over 20 years, John tilled the earth and turned out endless rows of vegetables and spectacular fields of flowers with passion and love for his community.

A true Renaissance Man, John hunted and fished, planted and harvested, lived large and laughed often. To his children he gave the gift of his green thumb, artistic skills, mechanical know-how and handiwork across all mediums. He was a lover of history and could talk your ear off about almost anything. He treasured his lifelong friendships, afternoon drives with Patty, big family dinners, and happy days at the Jersey Shore with his grandchildren.

Closter will not be the same without John McCaffrey, but his legacy lives on in his family and in all the lives he touched with his big heart and booming laugh. He will be missed, loved, and celebrated by all who knew him.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 2nd from 2-4pm/7-9pm at Moritz Funeral Home. Funeral mass will follow on Tuesday, February 3rd at 10am at St Mary's Church in Closter.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Spectrum for Living.

Link: https://spectrumforliving.org/giving/