Career
He was considered "Ireland"s answer to Willy Wonka", and was referred to as this when alive, having been credited with personally inventing treats such as the Macaroon bar, the Big Time bar and the Chocolate Snowball. Generations of Irish schoolchildren recognised these products, according to The Irish Times, while his imagination was inspired by his son"s frolics with his wind-up toy and led to him creating the Marshmallow Mice. Caffrey was born in Dublin on 12 September 1917.
Caffrey"s Confectionery commenced business in Harold"s Cross, Dublin in 1930 before moving to Walkinstown.
Caffrey received a contract with the United Kingdom retailer Woolworths Group in the 1950s. In 1953 he provided confectionery for the coronation of Elizabeth II in the United Kingdom. Fundamental to his success was the fair treatment of his staff
Caffrey remained with his company until he was in his seventies. Caffrey was also interested in horticulture, skipping, reading and rugby union, supporting both Leinster and the Ireland national rugby union team
He ate chocolate daily, favouring his own Snowball invention above any other.
The Irish Post reacted to Caffrey"s death with the headline "the end of an era" and by calling him "one of Ireland"s finest heroes" and "the country"s leading chocolatier, having created the delights of the Snowball, the Chocolate Mallow, the Tea Cake and Mint Crisp bars amongst many others". Caffrey"s Confectionery was still in business at its Walkinstown base when he died.
