February 24, 1962 – April 16, 2025

Patrick McCaffree, owner of McCaffree Logging, Inc., was a dedicated logging contractor for over 30 years. He found his peace in the woods surrounded by big trees and took great pride in forest management and sharing his knowledge with everyone he could. Patrick William McCaffree, age 63, of Grass Valley, CA, was taken from us far too soon on April 16, 2025.

Patrick was born in Belleville, Illinois in 1962 to William P. McCaffree II and Martha A. McCaffree, and was the youngest of six children. He grew up in Chappaqua, New York and spent his childhood on the East Coast before moving out to California to finish out his high school years in the Bay Area. In his early adult life he discovered the beautiful Nevada County and decided to relocate up to the foothills. This is where his love for big trees developed and where his logging career started. Patrick worked with Kubich Lumber Co. before starting his own company, McCaffree Logging, Inc. in 1993.

Living in Nevada County, Patrick met his love, Lonnie, and they were soon after married. Patrick welcomed Lonnie’s son, Ryan McCaffree into his life by adopting him and considering him one of his own. Patrick and Lonnie had two more children, Jody McCaffree and Gannon McCaffree, and were married for 12 years. Patrick became a grandpa in 2001 and has six grandchildren who survive him and whom he dearly loved. He also had a soft spot for his dogs and had a number of dogs throughout his lifetime, treating each and every one like a valuable family member. His dogs were his best friends.

Patrick’s true passion was the forest and taking care of it. He was an entrepreneur who took charge and a smart property investor. Everyone who knew him, knew how much he loved to work. A favorite Saturday morning hobby of his would be splitting up a couple cords of firewood and delivering them for his side business, Mac’s Firewood. His kids have all thrown more firewood into his truck than they can remember. Patrick always said “do what you love, and the money will follow” and that’s exactly what he did his entire life. He never considered logging to be work because he truly loved what he did. As owner of McCaffree Logging, Inc., he inspired many young men over the years and taught them everything they know about logging. While many would say he was a hard-headed man, his dedication and drive were unmatched. He was strong in his beliefs and trained his employees to be the best they could be.

Patrick will always be remembered for his bold, charismatic personality, and his contagious laugh. His booming voice was sure to be heard from the next room over and his smile could light up a room. He was a one of a kind man that was hard to forget. He was always willing to strike up a conversation with anyone who would listen. Patrick was the definition of a true lumberjack with a good ol’ boy mentality and made his mark in the logging industry. He loved his family more than anything and always cheered for them the loudest. He was well-known in the community and will be dearly missed by many. He was the best father we could have ever asked for and his memory will live on in our hearts forever and all those who loved him.

Patrick is preceded in death by his father, mother, and two brothers (Kevin McCaffree, and Steve McCaffree). He is survived by his siblings (Sallie Wisner, Kady Hirsch, and Paul McCaffree), his three children, and his six grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the Love Building at Condon Park in Grass Valley.