Timothy Michael Raftery

Timothy Michael Raftery passed away on Tuesday, February 27, 2018. There will be a Rosary at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home, 2609 South Main Street on Friday, March 2, 2018, 7:00 PM. On Saturday, March 3, 2018, there will be a Rosary at 11:20 AM at Assumption Church, 2808 North Kentucky Avenue, followed by a Mass Service at 12:00 PM. Celebrate Tim’s life by visiting www.andersonbethany.com to offer a memory or expression of sympathy for his family. Tim was born on February 15, 1950, in Detroit, Michigan, to Colonel Paul H. Raftery and Norma Fry Raftery. Being a son of a Colonel in the army Tim lived in many US states and Europe. He graduated from Joliet Catholic High School and went on to the University of Illinois where he got a degree in Finance. Tim went on to travel in South America, visiting Machu Picchu in Peru, went down the Amazon, Columbia and landed in Brazil where he lived for 2 years. He got a job teaching English to Engineers building the Translitorânea Highway at the University. In addition to English, German, Spanish he learned Portuguese while in Rio. He left South America and came to New Mexico for a short visit with his mother and stayed for the rest of his life. Tim went on to get his Master’s degree and ED.D in Education from the University of New Mexico. He worked as a teacher, Principal and Superintendent in Mosquero, NM and Lake Arthur NM. Tim and Sonia met in 1981 and were married in 1985 in Maui Hawaii, they were married for 33 years. The family included two grown children Eliza and Hiram. Eliza married Michael Romero and they have two Children Adezra and Andrew. Hiram has a daughter, Amaya Morales. Tim came from a large family. He has a sister Sheila in Florida, a brother Patrick Raftery and wife Marjory, also in Florida. A sister Nora Whipple and husband Bob from Kentucky, a sister Norma and Son Brandon Ahlskog from Albuquerque and brother Michael Raftery from Albuquerque. He had a brother Paul Raftery from Washington DC who passed in the early 80’s. Tim was very active in many organizations: Democratic Party of Chaves County, Sertoma, AA, Down Syndrome Foundation and was a passionate member in all. He was preceded in death by his father Colonel Paul Raftery, mother Norma Raftery, Brother Paul Raftery, and nephew Eric Ahlskog. Tim’s family lovingly wrote this tribute in his honor.

Timothy Michael Raftery

February 15, 1950 - February 27, 2018