Mr. Lafferty Obituary

Saturday, April 2, 2005

Donald Lafferty, principal of Oyster River High School

 SOMERSWORTH — Donald T. Lafferty, 55, of Sherwood Glen, a dedicated educator and principal of Oyster River High School, died Thursday, March 31, 2005, at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Dover, following a one-year illness.

Born Dec. 15, 1949, in Berlin, he was the son of James E. and Madeleine M. (Lavoie) Lafferty. 

He was a graduate of Berlin High School, Class of 1967, and received his bachelor of science degree from Plymouth State College, Class of 1971, and received his masters of education from Antioch College in 1993.

He began his distinguished teaching career at Berlin Middle School in 1971, where he taught seventh- and eighth-grade math. He had served his constituency in many capacities over the past 34-year period. He was a math teacher in Berlin school system for 21 years, principal of Berlin Junior High School for two years, athletic director at Berlin High School for nine years, assistant principal at Berlin High School for two years, principal of Berlin High School for five years, softball and girl’s basketball coach at Berlin High School for several years and for the past 3½ years, principal at Oyster River High School. During his three years at Oyster River, as well as in Berlin, he was highly respected and maintained an open-door policy and remained highly committed to his students and staff.

He participated in many sports during his high school and college days. He served the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association in many capacities including on the Finance Committee, Coaches Education Committee, Representative Council, Appeals Board, Sportsmanship Committee, Ice Hockey Committee and recently as president of NHIAA. He had always been available and willing to serve in any capacity for the betterment of education and interscholastic athletics. His friendship, expertise and involvement have been greatly appreciated. For several years he was also involved with Special Olympics.

He was a member of N.H. Association of School Principals and served on the committee to evaluate teachers’ education at New Hampshire colleges. While in Berlin, he was involved with the court diversion task force, positively supporting troubled youth. 

Family members include his wife of nearly 35 years, M. Kathleen (Ronan) Lafferty of Somersworth; one son, Shawn T. Lafferty of Rollinsford; one daughter Melissa J. Mitchell and her husband, Casey, of Rollinsford; his twin brother, Ronald L. Lafferty and his wife, Cheryl, of Wrentham, Mass.; two sisters, Gail Yorkell and her husband, William, of Nashua and Ann M. MacDonald of Pensacola, Fla.; two grandchildren, Samuel D. and Sophie K. Mitchell of Rollinsford; nieces and nephews.

———--

The family will receive friends from 12 noon until 2 p.m. Sunday at Tasker Funeral Home, 621 Central Ave., Dover. The funeral will be conducted in Tasker Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Sunday with Sister Monique Therriault, chaplain at Androscoggin Valley Hospital, Berlin, officiating. Cremation will follow. A time of fellowship will continue following the funeral service at Oyster River High School Cafeteria, Coe Drive, Durham. 

The family requests family flowers only. It is suggested that those who desire, make memorial donations to the Donald T. Lafferty Educational Scholarship Fund, c/o Gary Bisson and Timothy Forestall, Berlin High School, 550 Willard St., Berlin, NH 03570. 

Please go to www.taskerfh.com for more information or to sign the online guestbook.