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Kenneth Seaborne MacAffer, Jr.

Kenneth Seaborne MacAffer, Jr. '52

Jun. 17, 1931-Nov. 26, 2020

Kenneth Seaborne MacAffer, Jr. ’52 was an attorney with deep experience in the workings of state and local governments, and his civic life included political service.

MacAffer, of Menands, N.Y., died on Nov. 26, 2020, at age 89. For MacAffer, law was a family pursuit. He was born on June 17, 1931, in Albany, N.Y., a son of Edna-Belle Schafer MacAffer and Kenneth MacAffer, a New York State Supreme Court justice. MacAffer’s late brother, Duncan Shafter MacAffer ’56, was an attorney, too.

After graduating from Albany Academy cum laude in 1948, MacAffer enrolled at Hamilton, where he focused his studies in Germany, history, and philosophy. His fondest College memories included “marching around the classroom in German 3-4 when Herr Hauch got upset.” They also included the fine professors he encountered, among them “Swampy” Marsh, “Digger” Graves, and Dean Tolles.

A member of Delta Phi fraternity, MacAffer’s extracurricular activities included serving on the Intramural Council, playing football, and being part of Block “H”. His junior year he received the Dean Alfange Essay Prize.

“Hamilton gave me the opportunity to strive a bit, live a bit, and generally to discover myself and my place among my peers,” MacAffer wrote in his 50th reunion yearbook. “I was allowed to stretch myself a bit, discover some things I had never before particularly considered, and above all, mature in a nurturing and not terribly stressful environment.”

Fresh out of Hamilton, MacAffer entered Albany Law School, earning his juris doctor in 1955. He began his nearly 50-year legal career in 1956, working over the years with several law firms in Albany. 

From 1968 to 1973, he was involved with his law practice and several government-related positions, including assistant counsel to Assembly Speaker Perry Duryea, counsel to Assemblyman Fred Field, counsel to the Republican minority of the Albany County Legislature, and senior counsel for the Legislative Bill Drafting Commission.

He worked as the Menands village attorney for some 40 years, stepping down in 1996. MacAffer successfully ran for the position of Albany County legislator and served from 1974 to 1991. 

“1973 was a banner year. I made the best decision of my life and married my wife and was elected to the Albany County Legislature,” he wrote in his reunion yearbook. He and Urusla Wilfert married on March 4, 1973. They would have two children.

MacAffer lived a life of civic engagement. He was a director of the Cohoes Memorial Hospital for many years, and a member and chairman of the Albany County Multi-Hospital Planning Group and the Albany County and New York State bar associations.

He was a life member of the Menands Volunteer Fire Co. #1 and a member of the Colonie Republican Club, the University Club of Albany, and Bethany Presbyterian Church of Menands. He also served as president of the Menands Rotary Club and as a member of the Masters Masonic Lodge #5 F&AM. For many years he was on the board of the Kelley Foundation, Inc. of Cape Cod.

He and his wife had a house on Cape Cod, a place he’d loved since childhood, according to a published obituary, and as an adult he loved sharing the home with friends and family. Over the decades MacAffer’s interests included skiing and traveling in Europe, current affairs, local politics, puttering around both of his homes, “and watching my widespread family grow,” he once wrote. His family said he will be remembered for his beautiful voice and love of singing, especially during the Christmas season.

Survivors include his wife, daughters, grandchildren, and nephew, John MacAffer ’85

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Note: Memorial biographies published prior to 2004 will not appear on this list.



Necrology Writer and Contact:
Christopher Wilkinson '68
Email: Chris.Wilkinson@mail.wvu.edu

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