James Lafferty | Sales manager, 40

James Lafferty, 40, of Springfield, Delaware County, a sales manager who promoted prostate cancer awareness, died of the disease Wednesday, Dec. 1, at his home.

For more than 15 years, Mr. Lafferty was a co-owner and sales manager for his family's company, Pennsylvania Machine Works, a manufacturer of metal pipe fittings in Aston.

In 2006, he was diagnosed with metastasized prostate cancer. He kept working and jumped every hurdle to try to defeat his illness, his wife, Jennifer Fulton Lafferty, said. He had surgery, chemotherapy, alternative treatments, and radiation, sharing his experiences and advising others battling the disease, she said.

For three years, Mr. Lafferty participated in the Gary Papa Run-Walk 4 Your Life, and completed the 5K walk in June despite being in pain, his wife said. The event promotes prostate cancer awareness and research. He was the race's top fund-raiser three years in a row, his wife said.

Mr. Lafferty graduated from Malvern Preparatory School and earned a bachelor's degree from Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vt.

He enjoyed the Eagles, barbecuing, spending time with friends in Avalon, N.J., and music.

A drummer, he had played in bands since high school, and in the 1990s played with Bigg Romeo and Love Train. "He loved being on stage," his wife said.

He and his wife met as 15-year-olds and starting dating 10 years later. They married in 2000.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Lafferty is survived by a son, Gavin; parents Ronald and Suzanne; a brother; and a sister.

A Funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 112 Saxer Ave., Springfield. Friends may call from 9:30. Burial will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple Township.