George Elliot Rafferty
Age 100 of St Paul, Minnesota
January 10, 1918 to December 29, 2018
George Rafferty, noted Minnesota architect, son of James and Grace Rafferty of St Paul’s East side. Harding HS, 1936 grad; died days short of 101st birthday. Preceded in death by Betty Jane (Kase) wife and heartmate of 72 years; siblings and in laws Eileen (Bud) Gangl; Grace (Robert) Nord; and Richard (Margaret) Rafferty. Survived by brother Robert (Peggy) Rafferty, and in-laws Lorraine DeLoia, and Harriet Hazzard. Received bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota School of Architecture in 1942 and master’s degree in architecture from Harvard University in 1950. Served in the Army Air Corp during WWII as a navigation instructor. George is considered one of the founders of modernism in Minnesota architecture, taught at the U of M School of Architecture for several years, remained professionally active throughout life, was registered to practice until age 98. Recipient of numerous prestigious professional awards including American Institute of Architects Minnesota (AIAMN) Gold Medal, the highest award given to a Minnesota architect; named to the AIA College of Fellows; and recipient of national AIA Frey Award for lifetime contributions to religious architecture. George and brother Richard established Rafferty Rafferty Tollefson Lindeke Architects (RRTL) in 1961 creating a legacy of buildings throughout the region including St John the Evangelist Church in Hopkins (now St Gabriel’s where memorial services will be held). George’s real essence was his large and extended family and friends, all of whom remember him as a truly warm, gentle, caring, personal, and fun-loving man who could throw a mean Frisbee. Survived by: son Craig (Kathy) Rafferty; daughter Chris (Wayne) Longnecker; daughter Kathy (Keith) Lind; and son Rob (Amy) Rafferty. Grandchildren: Erin (Andy) Bugher; Anne (Tyler) Zimmerman; Lynn (Matt) Long; Cari (Tim) McGlynn; Jason (Vanessa) Longnecker; Kameron, Kristopher Lind; and James, Julia Rafferty. Great Grandchildren: Addie, Grace Bugher; Riley, Lauren, AJ Zimmerman; Alice, Jake, George Long; Jax, Anne, Teague McGlynn; Zachary, Elaina, Davis Longnecker. Mass of Christian burial at 12PM on Friday January 4, 2019 at St Gabriel Archangel Church in Hopkins at 6 Interlachen Road (St John the Evangelist Campus) with Visitation prior from 9:30 am to 11:45 am in the church with a light luncheon after mass in the adjacent parish social hall. Thanks to friends at St Andrews Village and Hospice of the Midwest for loving care. Memorials dedicated to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF) in honor of wife Betty and to the AIA Minnesota Minority Architectural Student Scholarship Fund.