James W. Hafey of Wirtz, Virginia, passed away on March 27, 2026. He was born May 6, 1949, in York, Pennsylvania, a son of H. Charles Hafey and Margaret Plitt Hafey. He is survived by his wife, Jan Hafey; his children, Michael Hafey (Sally) and Patricia Breton (Tyler), and grandchildren; Kailee and Hannah Hoffman and Thomas John Hafey. He also is survived by his sister Lynn Freitag (Chuck) and brother Dan Hafey (Robin) and his sisters-in-law Patricia Gallagher (Buddy) and Shirley Spangler (Tom) and his brother-in-law Tom (Karen) Brett and many nieces and nephews.
Jim’s career spanned from working in his family’s beverage business, G. F. Plitt & Son in York, Pennsylvania, to working for Great American Insurance Company in Windsor, Connecticut and later for St. Joseph Residence in Enfield, Connecticut.
Jim was a devoted family man. He loved entertaining his children and grandchildren and seeing them through their years of sports and scouting.
He enjoyed sailing, biking and camping. He was an Eagle Scout and led Mike and other young men to achieve their Eagle Scout rank. He cheered Trish in her swim, softball and soccer teams and Mike in his soccer, baseball and football seasons.
Jim was also devoted to his faith as an active participant in Holy Family Church in Enfield, Connecticut. He served as a lector and assisted with funeral Masses.
He served his community through the St Vincent de Paul Society and to the local Pro-Life community.
Jim’s family wishes to thank the nursing staff at Runk & Pratt at Smith Mountain Lake for the kind and loving care given to Jim in the last two years of Jim’s life. We are also grateful to Medi Hospice for the comfort and support given to Jim and his family during the last few months of Jim’s life.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Resurrection Catholic Church in Moneta, VA. Burial will directly follow the Mass in the Church cemetery. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00.
A time of gathering and sharing memories, with lunch provided, will be held immediately following the burial. It will be held in Morrow Hall (lower level of the church). All are welcome to join the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lake Christian Ministries in Moneta (smlgives.org) or to Bedford Pregnancy Center (bedfordpregnancy.org/donate) or to Resurrection Catholic Church, 15353 Moneta Rd, Moneta, VA 24121.
Arrangements by Burch – Messier Funeral Home in Bedford, Virginia 540-586-7360.