Dr. Hugh Peter Rafferty, age 90, of Milwaukee, formerly of Kenosha and Hartford, died October 27, 2019 following a brief illness. He was closely preceded in death by his wife of nearly 64 years, Mary Doyle Rafferty, who passed away October 12. While losing Hugh and Mary barely two weeks apart has been difficult, family members are comforted by the thought of them reunited, playing Scrabble while watching British dramas, Andy Griffith reruns and, of course, sports. A Kenosha native, Hugh was born February 4, 1929 to Frank and Helen (O'Hare) Rafferty. He was a graduate of St. James Catholic School, Kenosha, and St. Catherine's High School, Racine. He attended St. Norbert College and received his medical degree from Marquette University. He was united in marriage to Mary Doyle on December 10, 1955 in La Crosse. Following military service as a U.S. Navy physician in Japan and Okinawa, Hugh completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Providence Hospital, Detroit, and began a practice in Kenosha in 1961. After practicing alone for 12 years, he was joined by Dr. Ray Witt and then Dr. Steve Azuma.Hugh delivered well over 5,000 babies during his career. Asked often about the experience of birthing so many babies, he would say that the last delivery was just as thrilling to him as the first. Hugh was a past member of the county and state medical societies and the Milwaukee Gynecological Society and a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. In Kenosha, he was a past president of the county medical society, past president of the medical staff at St. Catherine's Hospital, and past president of the Kenosha Marquette Club. He was a member of St. Mark Catholic Church for more than 30 years. In what he termed his mini-retirement, Hugh moved to Washington County and assisted for a time in the obstetrics and gynecology department of Hartford-Parkview Clinic, now Aurora. He and Mary relished the pace of small-town life and the regular sightings of deer and other wildlife at close range near their home in Hartford. The couple moved to a retirement community in Milwaukee in 2015.In retirement Hugh indulged his enthusiasm for golf and pursued a lifelong interest in history. Trips to Ireland heightened his appreciation of his Irish Catholic heritage, and he amassed an extensive library of Irish music, literature and film. He took special satisfaction in a volunteer role as a reading tutor for young students. Hugh’s kindness, gentle spirit and dry wit were appreciated by his family, friends, patients, colleagues and all who met him. Whether you were a restaurant server, store clerk, dental hygienist or car technician, Hugh was likely to ask where you went to high school and how your team was doing. He genuinely hoped your team was doing well. Along with his wife, Mary, Hugh was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Helen (Emil) Olson, Ruth (Buzzy) Snyder, Amy Chiappetta and Rosemary Rafferty; and brothers William (Audrey), J. Patrick, Owen and Thomas Rafferty. Hugh is survived by a son, Hugh Patrick (Tina) Rafferty, Kenosha; and daughters Brigid Rafferty, Chicago; Ellen (Bob) Renick, Franklin; Elizabeth Rafferty, Milwaukee; and Sheila (Paul) Beck, Wauwatosa. Hugh is also survived by his grandchildren Joe (Yvonne), Andy (Danielle) and John Renick; Christopher and Erin Mary Hughes; Madeline and Owen Rafferty; Ian and Lauren Beck; and great-grandchildren Penelope, Ainsley and Cole Renick. Hugh is further survived by his little sister, Rita (the late Fred) Bistrick and sister-in-law Audrey Rafferty, both of Kenosha, and many nieces and nephews. Hugh’s family is grateful for the kindness and care of Dr. Abiy Gesese, Dr. Soryal Soryal, and RNs Jen and Heather of Aurora West Allis Memorial Hospital ICU. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2019, at Proko Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2019, at St. Mark Catholic Church, Kenosha. Please meet directly at church. Interment will be held privately in St. James Cemetery, Kenosha. Memorial donations, if desired, could go to the Jesuit Partnership (jesuitpartners.org) or the St. Ben’s Community Meal Program, a Capuchin ministry (capuchincommunityservices.org).Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th Street (262) 654-3533Visit & Sign Hugh’s Online Memorial Book At:www.prokofuneralhome.com
Condolences
Kären Keel
November 2, 2019
Just one of so many to have been blessed knowing and being in the company of your parents. Your father always greeted me with a smile and inquiry as to how things were going for me. He loved the poetry book and video of Ireland which I found on a memorable hunt. Mary and I enjoyed many of those hunts together. I was honored to be so loved by them. Always, forever in my heart..
gene Smith
November 1, 2019
Gene and Carolyn SmithCondolences to the Rafferty family,Hugh and Mary were treasured neighbors in Hartford Square II as we shared the backyard wildlife visitors, the activities of our grandchildren, or the joys or sorrows of the latest Brewer game. We had the pleasure of knowing these kind and caring people for only a few years of the "mini-retirement" but wonderful memories remain in our hearts of the blessings Hugh and Mary were to us.
Lill Hauschild
November 1, 2019
Condolences to the Rafferty family. It is with such sorrow that we say goodbye to early family friends, Dr. Rafferty and dr. Hauschild both started out in Kenosha in 1961 - lots of good memories. Lill Hauschild
Margaret Loehrer Snyder
October 31, 2019
Dear Rafferty Family, Please accept my sincere condolences in the passing of your father. I've known your parents for the last few years after meeting them at Clement Manor. My father, Gary Loehrer, introduced me to them. My late husband, Mike Snyder, was their nephew. They were very beloved by the Snyder family. I will always remember their geniune kindness, your father's wit and humor, your mother's graciousness. We shared visits, meals together and phone calls. God bless all of you during this difficult time. Your parents will be missed by many. Margie Snyder
Kenda Buxton
October 31, 2019
My now 92-year-old mother, Jessie Turner, was one of Doctor Rafferty's first patients when he opened his Kenosha practice in 1961. He delivered me in March of 1962 and my brother in June of 1963. My brother was born with a heart birth defect and my mother has often spoken of how sympathetic and helpful Dr. Rafferty was during this time period. When my brother passed away in February of 1964, Dr. Rafferty and his staff extended their sympathies, and again reached out to my mother with condolences in 1977 when my father passed away suddenly. My mother remained a patient of Dr. Rafferty's until he retired. When she read his obituary in the paper this week the first thing she said was, "He was such a good doctor and such a nice man." Our sympathies to the Rafferty family over his loss, and the recent loss of your mother as well. Sincerely, Kenda Turner Buxton
Doug Livingston
October 30, 2019
Both Mary and Hugh were such fun and a blessing to us as neighbors in Hartford Square II. We enjoyed talking about traveling and especially about our train trips. We loved them and will miss them both.Sincerely,Doug & Judy Livingston1257 Stillwater Lane
Karen Bonell
October 30, 2019
I worked for Dr Rafferty when I graduated nursing school in 1965. What a great man! He was so kind and gentle with a dry sense of humor, and loved by everyone. How wonderful he and Mary are together again. My deepest sympathies to his family.
Lowanda
October 30, 2019
May you continually be comforted by thoughts of happier times of precious memories. May God "surround and comfort" you at this sad time. Psalm 71:21.
Rosemary Homs
October 30, 2019
My Sympathy to your family. I worked with him at St. Catherine’s surgery department and he delivered my first child..He was a wonderful man and great to work with. Was a great coach when I had my baby. It was a honor to know and work with him.Rosemary Homs
Joanne Schoenke
October 29, 2019
My sincere condolences on the loss of your dear father. I enjoyed being your Buchanan Road neighbor way back when, and your babysitter - even after you moved. He would come pick me up and bring me back home in his little British Racing Green MG and my young teen self felt so cool. He was a sweet and kind man and he and your mom raised a great family. How fitting that he will have his visitation on All Saints Day, and funeral on All Souls Day.Eternal Rest grant unto him O Lord.Joanne (Scholey) Schoenke
Karen Kavanaugh
October 29, 2019
Thank you, Dr Rafferty, for delivering me into this world safely 49 years ago.
Marianna Matteucci
October 29, 2019
Dear Hugh, Bridget, Ellen, Beth and Sheila,With a heavy heart I mailed off a note to you all with a Mass card for your mother just yesterday. Was shocked to get the news today of the passing of your dear father. God works in funny ways. I am sure we all feel that your dad is now safely in God's hands and with your mom. However it is never easy to lose both parents and grandparents in such a short time. Our deepest sympathy to all of you and your families.John and Marianna Matteucci
Korey Hall
October 29, 2019
I was born 10/27/74 in Kenosha. He was my mother’s doctor. May god bless his family. My condolences. Korey Lyn Hall of Florida.
Nancy Gantzer Ledzki
October 29, 2019
My condolences to the Rafferty family. We were next door neighbors years ago on Buchanan Road. Although I was young, I remember your dad and your mom with fondness.
Martha Kotz Rendon
October 29, 2019
Hugh delivered both my children, missing a family wedding for my first. He was a good man and, yes, he had a wonderful dry wit. God speed.