McCaffrey, James John Bernard October 28, 1941 - July 2, 2026

James John Bernard McCaffrey of Bronxville, New York, died at Calvary Hospital in The Bronx on July 2, 2026. James was the devoted husband of Joan Maria Cox McCaffrey, who preceded him in death in 2020, and the beloved father of Mary Elizabeth (“Mimi”) McCaffrey of New York, New York; Kathleen McCaffrey Baynes of Albany, New York; Sara Jane McCaffrey of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Deirdre McCaffrey of Greenwich, Connecticut; Clare McCaffrey of Alexandria, Virginia, and Kiera McCaffrey Poumade of Alexandria, Virginia. James is also survived by his sons-in-law, Christopher Baynes, Matthew Bidwell, Robert Mate, and James Poumade. He was the doting grandfather of Taylor McCaffrey; Emmett and Anna Baynes; James and Margaret (“Daisy”) Bidwell and Maria, Bridget (“Dulce”), Robert (“Beto”) and Cecelia (“Ceci”) Mate. Also surviving James are his adored sister, Rosemarie McCaffrey Keane of Westhampton, New York; his brother-in-law, Michael Cox, and sister-in-law, Patricia McCormick Cox, of Skidaway Island, Georgia; his nephew, Edward Cox, and nieces, Lauren Keane Shea, Nancy Keane Queeney, and Patrica Cox Amonson.

James was born in New York, New York, in 1941 to Mary (Daly) and James McCaffrey, both of whom were born in Ireland. James attended Sacred Heart School in Highbridge, The Bronx, where he was one grade ahead of Joan Cox, his future wife. He later graduated from Cathedral Preparatory School in Manhattan. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Fordham College, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He received his doctorate in theoretical mathematics from the University of Rochester. James and Joan were married at Sacred Heart Church in 1965 and moved to Bronxville, New York, in 1969, where they lived for more than fifty years and raised their six daughters.

After a brief stint teaching during graduate school, James went to work on Wall Street, beginning a career in investment banking that spanned more than thirty years. Among the firms where he built that career were Salomon Brothers Inc and Babcock & Brown, from which he eventually retired. In retirement, he taught mathematics courses within the City University of New York system. He was a parishioner of the Church of St. Joseph in Bronxville and, for several years, brought the Eucharist to patients at Lawrence Hospital.

Those closest to James knew that he was an academic at heart. He was known to spend his time reading books from his library on mathematics and ancient languages. He was a Civil War buff but abstained from family trivia games due to his “innate advantage” (which he happily made known). He modeled to his daughters a devotion to his Catholic faith and family, along with a dedicated work ethic. He could carry a tune, loved music, and was known to spout poetry spontaneously to anyone who would listen. He was proud of the life that he and his beloved “Joanie” built and would often remark, “Not bad for a boy from The Bronx.” James enjoyed, rather than merely tolerated, being bossed around by the many women in his family, who will deeply miss his wit, charm, steadiness, and unwavering strength of character.

Friends are invited to call at the Fred H. McGrath & Son Funeral Home in Bronxville on July 19, 2026, between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on July 20, 2026, at 9:45 a.m. at the Church of St. Joseph in Bronxville.

Those desiring to make a donation in James’ honor may consider giving to
MyCatholicDoctor Foundation, Inc., or Calvary Fund Inc. of Calvary Hospital.