Thurlow Washburn Howell Caffey

Thurlow Washburn Howell Caffey was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven, and reunited with his beloved spouse, Laura Grace Vigil Caffey, on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Thurlow was born in Washington, D.C. on February 28, 1935. Having been raised as an 'Army brat,' he grew up in multiple areas, wherever his father was stationed and finally made his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He obtained his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from New Mexico State University. While at NMSU he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. After receiving his Bachelor's degree he served a tour of duty as an officer (Lieutenant) in the United States Army. He then went on to obtain his Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of New Mexico where he was also an instructor in the department of Electrical Engineering. He worked as an electrical engineer at Sylvania and then worked for, and retired from, Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM. He authored multiple patents under the Department of Energy and was also a Fellow and lifelong member of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).

Thurlow was a devoted spouse to Laura Grace Vigil Caffey for 60 years. Together, they raised 3 beautiful children. He and Laura were devout Catholics and were active in church associations. Thurlow was a Life Member of both the Third and Fourth degrees of the Knights of Columbus, something he was very proud of!

After retiring from the Labs, Thurlow and Laura enjoyed traveling to far off lands, meeting new people on their adventures, and working on the numerous landscaping 'projects' that Laura assigned to him. He enjoyed all the animals that were part of family life and was known for his calm demeanor and twinkling blue eyes.

Thurlow (Moppy) was preceded in death by his wife, Laura Grace Vigil Caffey, his parents Eugene and Catherine Caffey, the Gang of Nine (his siblings)-Eugene Mead (Pinkie), Catherine Howell (Sturrock) (Sister), Lochlin Willis (Lochie), Hester Washburn (Mallonee), Benjamin Franklin (Mincho), Francis Gordon (Pancho), Dr. Helen Mead (Freeman) (Dimp), and Mary Reistrup (Tat). He is survived by his son, Dominic, and his two daughters, Dr. Francine Caffey and Catherine (Pittman), and two grandsons, Joshua Caffey and Brennan Pittman. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, and extended family and friends. He will be forever missed by those who came across his path.

A recitation of the Holy Rosary will take place at 11:00 am on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church led by Father Mike Shea with the Funeral Mass to follow, 12500 Carmel Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122. The Rite of Committal and Inurnment will immediately follow the Mass at Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in the St. Joseph Mausoleum, 7999 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109. The Caffey siblings would like to extend an invitation for those who attend to join them in the Prince of Peace Community Center Hall in remembrance and celebration of Thurlow.

For those who are unable to attend the Funeral Mass in person, we will be streaming the Mass live. The link to the Mass can be found here: https://www.popabq.org/prince-of-peace-live-masses. Please click on the Madonna and Child picture in the middle of the page. You'll see a small icon on the lower right that reads, 'Broadcast Schedule.' Click on that and you'll see Thurlow's Funeral Mass listed within the schedule.