Every so often you find a person who makes a party better or an event more successful just by being there. That was certainly the case with Edward Patrick McLafferty of New Bethlehem.

He was a devoted husband, wonderful brother, beloved uncle and valued community member who began enjoying his eternal reward on Tuesday as a result of his battle with cancer.

Born Nov. 20, 1936, Ed was the second of five children born to the late Pete and Mary “Ethel” McLafferty of Worthington.

He is fondly remembered and will be sadly missed by his siblings and their families, Jim McLafferty and his wife, Helen, of Saxonburg, Gary McLafferty and his wife, Helen, of Worthington, George McLafferty and his wife, Nancy, of Saxonburg and Mary Tirk, wife of the late George Tirk, of Butler.

Ed met his true love, Carmelle “Mella” Bonanno, at Chide's Restaurant, where she served him coffee on his breaks from the Citizen's Utilities Phone Co. Recently, they celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.

Together, they continued to have coffee each morning with their special friends at Evermoore's.

Ed also is survived by six sisters-in-law; a brother-in-law; and many admiring nieces and nephews from Mella's family.

He was always seen at New Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce events, serving beverages at the MOOSE Lodge 366 golf outings, cooking peanut butter hot dogs at the Peanut Butter Festival for the Knights of Columbus Fr. William Smith Council 8538 and selling brooms and roses for the New Bethlehem Lions Club with his “partners in crime,” Jack Milliren and Arnold Dinger.

You could count on Ed to have a front pocket full of tickets that he was selling for St. Charles Church, the Russell J. Hilliard VFW Post 415, the New Bethlehem and Saxonburg Fire companies, the Seminole and Widnoon Rod and Gun Clubs and the Roman Catholic Men's Club of Herman, all organizations to which he belonged.

As a member of the Pennsylvania Tax Collectors Association for 26 years, Ed even made paying your borough taxes enjoyable with a visit to his patio.

No Christmas parade was complete without “Santa” McLafferty and his beloved Mrs. Claus, who were often accompanied by their favorite elves, Lindsay and Dominic.

Ed was honored in many ways for his unselfish community service. He was awarded the New Bethlehem Citizen of the Year; the Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award; the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award from the Lions Club; and a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House of Representatives Citation, recognizing an exemplary record of service in keeping with the highest ideals and traditions of the commonwealth.

Even at this time of intense sorrow, it is not difficult to smile when thinking of Ed.

It's the Lord's time to plan the parties, and Ed, we are counting on you to make them even better.

Until we meet again, “You're on that committee, Buddy!”

MCLAFFERTY — Family and friends of Edward Patrick McLafferty, who passed away Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. today and from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Rupert Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 301 Penn St., New Bethlehem.A Christian vigil service will be at 12:45 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday in the St. Charles Catholic Church, 201 Washington St., New Bethlehem. Father Samuel Bungo will serve as celebrant.Interment will follow in the St. Charles Catholic Cemetery in New Bethlehem.Memorial contributions may be given in the name of Edward Patrick McLafferty to the New Bethlehem Volunteer Fire Company, 425 Arch St., New Bethlehem, PA 16242.Online condolences may be sent to Ed's family at www.rupertfuneralhomes.com.