Thomas "Tommy" Harold Lafferty

  Thomas "Tommy" Harold Lafferty of Kennett Square, PA and Earleville, MD, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2024. Tommy was born in Wilmington, DE in 1951 and grew up in Kaolin, New Garden Township. He attended St. Patrick’s School and graduated from Kennett High School in 1969. In 1972 he married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen "Kathi" Kelly Lafferty. They recently celebrated 52 years of marriage. In addition to Kathi, Tommy is survived by his children, Kelleanne Smith (Sean), Erin Storm (Brian) and Christopher Lafferty (Jennifer); and grandchildren, Keira Smith, Austin Lafferty, Addison Lafferty, Ava Storm, Chloe Storm, Anthony Lafferty, and Audrey Storm. Tommy was predeceased by his father, Philip A. Lafferty and is survived by his mother, Marjorie Hartman Lafferty. He is also survived by three brothers, Philip Lafferty Jr. (Diane), Michael Lafferty, Stephen Lafferty (Teresa); his sister, Carol Doherty (Bruce); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

  Tommy learned the value of hard work at a young age. He started driving tractors at ten years old. One of his early loves was baling hay. After high school, he joined the Delaware Air National Guard and served for six years. After the service, Tommy served as President of his family's business, P.A. Lafferty and Sons, Inc., where he was a successful mushroom grower for many years. He also held the position of Vice President of Mushroom Conveyors, Inc. In the early 80’s he served as Vice President of the American Mushroom Institute. He also enjoyed volunteering for the Mushroom Festival, Midnight in the Square, and for New Garden Township, where he was proud to be the helicopter Santa for many years. If you knew Tommy, you know he loved music. He loved playing music, especially his guitar, singing on stage, dancing, attending concerts, and listening to his favorite artists.

  Tommy and Kathi raised their family in Landenberg, PA where Tommy enjoyed tending to his flower gardens, mowing the grass, driving the ‘40 Ford with the top down, entertaining friends, and spending time with family. In recent years, Tommy loved being at his house on the Chesapeake Bay. Many happy memories were made there with family and friends. He especially enjoyed having the seven grandchildren there together and taking them on sunset cruises on Pop-Pop’s boat. Tommy's beloved bay house will not be the same without his presence, and the grass will never be mowed quite right, but with every sunrise and sunset in Earleville we will think of him. 

  Tommy recently said, “I tried to be kind to everyone and I received it back tenfold.” Tommy's family would like to thank the extended family as well as our Kennett friends and Earleville friends for all the love and support during Tommy's illness. We love you all. 

  You are invited to visit with Tommy’s family from 5:00-7:00PM on Friday, May 31, 2024 and again from 10:00-11:00AM on Saturday, June 1, at Saint Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church, 8910 Gap Newport Pike, Avondale, PA 19311. A Funeral Mass will follow at the church at 11:00AM on Saturday. Lunch reception and life celebration to follow. Interment will be private. 

  If you wish to make a memorial donation in honor of Tommy’s love of the bay or his love of music, the family suggests the following organizations which are special to our family:

YMCA Camp Tockwogh  Donate to Camp Tockwogh 2024: Better Than Ever! (ymcade.org) 

Kennett High School Friends of Music Support Kennett High School Friends of Music (givebutter.com)

  Arrangements are by Matthew J. Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square.  To view Tommy’s online tribute, please visit www.griecofunerals.com