I was saddened recently to learn that Mr and Mrs McCaffrey both have passed away.  Mr McCaffrey was my 5th-grade teacher at Palm Vista Elementary School (then 29 Palms Elementary) in 1964-65.  It was an exciting year!  My family was new to the high desert, having relocated to the Marine Corps base from northern Virginia.  Mr McCaffrey was one of three grade school teachers that made a lasting impression although we were together for only the one year.  He was engaging in the classroom and serious about learning.  He held high but reasonable expectations for his students: simply perform to the best of your ability and, occasionally, go a bit beyond.  But it was not all hard work!  Among my best memories of were sing-along Fridays when he brought his guitar to class and taught us popular songs of the era.   Mr McCaffrey encouraged and nurtured his students, especially those of us who lived on base whose fathers were preparing for deployment to Vietnam.  He filled a critical role during a tender time with care and compassion.  Commitment to service and dedication to faith,  family and the youngsters entrusted to him are how I remember him now, many years later.   As a fitting tribute, I am reminded once again of Saint Paul's words in Scripture:  "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing."  2 Timothy 4:7-8

Mr. McCaffrey was the principal at Joshua Circle when I was a student there.  He was the type of principal who knew his students and genuinely cared for them.  While in college, I returned to Joshua Circle for an assignment in one of my classes. This would have been 8-9 years after sixth grade and he not only remembered me, but asked about my mother by name! He was a great help to the assignment and a great inspiration in my pursuit of a career in education. 

My thoughts and prayers are with his family. 

You meet a lot of people in your lifetime but there aren't many that you hold onto significant memories with. I was a student of his at Joshua Circle Elem. from 3rd grade through 6th grade in the '80s and truly believe that one of the reasons that I hold so many precious memories of those years was due to the fact that while he was able to control the campus he was also able to do so with love, caring, and kindness that made it feel like a home away from home. From my experience with my own children and plenty of other schools I can honestly say this is rare. To Mr McCaffreys family I am very sorry for your loss💕. Thank you Mr McCaffrey for sharing your kindness with all of us crazy little kids over so many years. 

Didn't know until today, May 13, of your sad news.  Sorry your Dad is gone, but glad he will suffer no more.  Your Dad is with God now.  
Your neighbors 
Ken & Sharon Greaves

When I was going to open the newest school at the time for the Hesperia Unified School District, Ranchero Middle School, the very first person I sought out for sage advice and counsel was KEITH MCCAFFREY. I wanted to hear from the man who had loved his students, staff and district more than any of us!  I had known Keith from working several student situations while he was principal at Joshua Circle and I was the assistant principal of Hesperia Junior High. He left a lasting impression on the kind of school principal I wanted to be some day!  He was compassionate, understanding and  professional.  He told me that before I ever made a decision about a student, I should always ask myself this question: “what is in the best interest of the student “? For the remainder of my 33 year career with the district, I lived by this motto!
Thank you Keith MCCAFFREY, you are my hero and I’m sure the Good Lord  has already put you to work up there in Heaven!

I remember him fondly from Joshua Circle in Hesperia.  He was a pretty cool dude.  His family is in my prayers. 

Mr. McCaffrey was a very kind man. He was actually one of the first people I met when I was a kid when we moved to Hesperia in '83 from Cerritos and he was my principal at Joshua Circle School from 2nd to 6th grade. I was very nervous and scared being a 7 year old kid starting at a new school with no friends to play with and living in new surroundings. He did everything in his power to make sure I was comfortable in that school all the way up to 6th grade. Sure was a different time back then.... Me and my friends (especially Eric Morris) were in his office a lot for "disciplinary" reasons a few times too many and he always gave me and my friends a break. He surely did treat his students as his own! Sad news....Thank you for everything Mr. McCaffrey, you will be missed sir! Fly with the angels!

I was a teacher at Joshua Circle since 1979.  I was hired & served under Keith, as principal until he retired.  He was an amazing , kind principal.  We shared our faith with each other continually.  He was not ashamed of his Lord.  He took me & my family on outings, most memorable on his catamaran.  I will forever be grateful to him & God for putting me at his school.  He had a great love for his staff & the children under his care.  He led with his heart.  It was a heart for God.  
God bless his family at this time.Love, Edy Byrne Lee

We met Keith and Dorothy McCaffrey through our friends: his son Joe and wife Emma. We used to run into them a lot at many family gatherings hosted by Joe and Emma in OC. Keith was very friendly and had a knack for remembering our names. We listened to his many stories and experiences as a school principal,  his love for water sports and camping, his pride in his sons, grandchildren and rest of his family. We saw less and less of him in the past few years due to health issues.  We mourn the recent passing of Keith, a man rooted in faith and family love. My husband Tony and I, are thankful for the opportunity of having known Keith and sharing some special moments with him.  May his soul have a peaceful journey back to God, his Creator. 

Always so positive and had such a gentle spirit.  He is one of the few people I considered a true man and GENTLEMAN.

Wonderful memories - principal @ Joshua Circle  for all my younger brothers and sisters.
Growing up in Holy Family Church~ more  memories..
Thank you Mr McCaffrey for your positive influence and giving of yourself to so many over the years.
You've left your footprints and love in our hearts.

OBITUARY

Keith Edward McCaffrey

December 3, 1931 – May 2, 2019

Desert View Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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