Assistant CIF Commissioner Scott Raftery passed away at 4:23 a.m. on Feb. 23, 2013, after a brief but spirited battle against cancer. He was surrounded by his family at his home in Arcadia. Raftery had been a valued part of the Temecula community for 16 years as a coach and athletic director at Linfield Christian School. He was 55.

"Scott was a man who truly dedicated his life to caring for others and giving his best efforts to help students, coaches, administrators, parents, officials and media members, virtually everyone he came in contact with," said CIF-SS Commissioner of Athletics Rob Wigod. "A trusted and loyal friend and valued colleague, Scott had such a positive outlook on life, which made those around him feel better every day. His CIF family shares this loss with [his sons] Shane and Justin, Elane (Scott’s mother) and the entire Raftery family."

He is also survived by his sister, Kelly Kanehen, his father Charles Misner, his daughter-in-law Karli, and extended family.

Scott Raftery was born in Alhambra, CA on June 27, 1957, and went on to graduate in 1975 from Arcadia High School. His senior year, Raftery was named Arcadia High School Athlete of the Year for his outstanding prowess in baseball. He eventually accepted a baseball scholarship from Azusa Pacific University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 1979. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Azusa Pacific in 1988.

Raftery worked in various capacities for several schools following his graduation but found a home in Temecula at Linfield Christian School in 1990 where he spent the next 16 years.

During his tenure as athletic director at Linfield, Raftery provided leadership as a League Representative and Coordinator; President and Board Member of the Citrus Belt Athletic Directors Association; member of the CIF Southern Section Officials Fees Committee and Playoff Groupings Committee; Chairman of the Small Schools Area Releaguing Committee and member of the CIF-SS Softball Advisory Committee.

In 2004-05 he was named California State Athletic Director Association’s CIF Southern Section Athletic Director of the Year award and was enshrined into the Citrus Belt Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame in 2010. Raftery also served as head softball coach at Linfield Christian for 14 years, where he claimed four CIF-SS titles and three runner-up trophies.

He was also named CIF-SS Coach of the Year four times and in 2001 he and his assistant coaches were named Coaching Staff of the Year by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Raftery also coached football and baseball during his time at Linfield Christian.

Raftery began his career at the CIF-SS on July 9, 2007. Tasked with the administrative duties and oversight for the sports of boys’ and girls’ volleyball, boys’ soccer and softball, he was given the added responsibility of processing hardships by the office.

While at the section office, Raftery’s integrity and attention to detail won him the respect of the membership he worked for and his infectious smile and big heart the love and admiration of all he worked with.

"Scott had a rare and precious gift that allowed him to be able to always see the good qualities in other people which served him well throughout his career," added Wigod. "His presence in our office and his belief in what we do and who we do it for earned him tremendous credibility and respect among our staff and our member schools."

A celebration of life ceremony will be held this Saturday, March 2, at 11 a.m. at Sunridge Community Church in Temecula. Immediately following the service, a reception for family and friends will be held.

All in attendance are encouraged to wear something that reminds them of Raftery (Disney, Linfield, athletics, etc). The family has asked, in lieu of sending flowers, for friends and family to feel free to donate to the Roy and Patricia Disney Cancer Center.

The address for Sunridge is listed below and more information can be found at www.sunridgechurch.org.

Sunridge Community Church is located at 42299 Winchester Road in Temecula.