WALLINGFORD - Matthew Christopher Rafferty, Ph.D., 44, of Wallingford, peacefully departed this life on Saturday, October 11, 2014, at home surrounded by family, friends, and his loving wife, Sacha O'Connor. Matthew was born on December 16, 1969 in New Haven, CT, son of John and Margaret Grady Rafferty. He attended Manchester High School in Richmond, VA, where he was a member of the debate, track, football and cross-country teams. He graduated from the College of William & Mary with high honors and continued studies at the University of California, Davis, where he earned a master's degree and doctoral degree in economics. He was an accomplished author and sought after consultant. As a passionate educator, he was visiting professor at Union College and then rose to the rank of full professor at Quinnipiac University where he served as the department chair until the time of his death. In addition to his wife and parents, he will be sadly missed by his brothers -- John (Elizabeth) of Orange, Charles (Wendy) of Sandy Hook, Brendan (Deborah) of NJ; father and mother-in-law -- Robert and Elaine O'Connor of NY; brothers-in-law -- Sheridan (Erin) O'Connor of NC, Sedrick (Kimberly) O'Connor of NY, Warren (Emily) O'Connor of NY; sisters-in-law - Jennifer, Caroline, and Savanna O'Connor of VT, and Britney (Ben) Smith of MD; adoring nieces -- Kelli, Callan, Caroline, Chatham, and Julia Rafferty, and Nola O'Connor; and nephews -- Brady and Bailey O'Connor, and Jacob Smith; as well as his faithful dog Cooper. Relatives and friends may call on Thursday, October 16, at B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, 273 S. Elm St., Wallingford, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 17, at 10:30 a.m. at Church of the Resurrection, 115 Pond Hill Road, Wallingford. Burial at St. Peter's Cemetery in Derby will be private. Memorial contributions may be directed to Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven and The Connecticut Hospice.