Robert J. Caffrey, 97, of Shrewsbury and a former longtime Red Bank resident, passed away peacefully May 22, 2025, at Monmouth Medical Center. Bob was born Sept. 21, 1927, in Superior, Wisconsin, to the late Joseph and Ruth (Kahl) Caffrey.
Bob’s odyssey began at age 16 when he joined the U.S. Merchant Marine on the Great Lakes, starting as a coal passer and advancing to an oiler. When he turned 17, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy in December 1944 at the U.S. Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois. While in the Navy, he rose to the rank of electrician’s mate, petty officer third class. He served admirably in the Philippines, initially at the Ship Repair Base 3864 on Manicani Island from October 1945 to March 1946, after which he was transferred to the minesweeper, U.S.S. YMS 368, in March 1946 in Subic Bay. He served there briefly before being honorably discharged.
When Bob returned to the States, he rejoined the Merchant Marines. It wasn’t long, though, before he decided military service was his life’s calling, so Bob re-enlisted in June 1948, this time in the U.S. Army. He was assigned to post-war Japan, where he received training within the Signal Corps. Japan served as both his assignment and a base for his deployment to other spots in the Pacific. From Japan, Bob was deployed to Korea in 1950-51, where he was responsible for establishing and maintaining communication services across miles of mountainous terrain.
After Korea, Bob returned to Japan, where, before being assigned to several U.S. bases, he met the love of his life, Setsuko Toyono. They were fortunate to celebrate 72 years of marriage, four children – each of whom graduated college – and many moves and address changes across Japan and the United States.
From the U.S., Bob was deployed to Thailand in 1964 and Vietnam in 1965. Upon completion of that tour, Bob returned to the States for a final assignment at Fort Monmouth.
Bob was officially discharged as a master sergeant in 1968 after 20 years of service in the Signal Corps. During his service, he received numerous commendations and medals and was awarded two Bronze Stars for his service in Korea and Vietnam.
Following his military career, Bob worked in government contracting for Bendix, Allied Signal and Honeywell in Eatontown, exhibiting the same work ethic he developed in the military.
It was also Bob’s mission in life to care for his family and others around him. He had joined the Merchant Marines during the Depression, in part to help support his family, and that support continued through much of his military career. And if a friend needed something, Bob was there.
He will always be remembered for his lifelong love of dogs, the two feral cats he adopted and the many birds and squirrels who anxiously awaited feeding time in his backyard.
Bob is survived by his wife, Setsuko, and their four children: Kathleen Schmerler (Jay) of Rumson; Barbara Albers (Tom) of Lakewood Ranch, Florida; Patricia Adochio (Robert) of Red Bank; and Robert T. (Bob) of Simpsonville, South Carolina. He also leaves his five grandchildren, Jamie (David), Michael (Allison), Alison (Rob), Kristie (Michael) and RJ (Selena); his six great-grandchildren, Liam, Remy, Austin, Addison, Teagan and Ryder; and loving nieces and nephews.
Bob was predeceased by his brother Joseph; his sisters, Helen and Mary; and his grandson James.
Visitation was May 28 at the Fiore-Buckley Funeral Home in Oakhurst. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bob’s memory may be made to the Monmouth County SPCA at monmouthcountyspca.org or the Associated Humane Societies of Tinton Falls at ahscares.org/tinton-falls-shelter.
For condolences, please visit fiorefuneralhomes.com.
The article originally appeared in the June 5 – 11, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
