Thomas J. Caffrey knew of the power of addictions from his own experiences overcoming alcoholism, and he put it to use for the past two decades helping narcotics users overcome their own demons.

Mr. Caffrey was a former actor and one-time member of the Marianist order of Catholic brothers who worked into his 80s at Tadiso Inc. in Manchester, counseling those with some of the most severe needs.

The Monroeville resident, 81, died of cancer Saturday at Forbes Hospice in Oakland, where he spent the last eight days of his life. He had a recurrence of prostate cancer last spring after battling it successfully when first diagnosed 11 years ago.

Mr. Caffrey's longer-lasting fight against alcohol started in the mid-1980s after the death of his wife, an ex-nun whom he had married relatively late in life after leaving his own religious order. He became mired in drinking problems before entering a 30-day rehabilitation center and faithfully following the guidance of Alcoholics Anonymous, said his sister, Patrice Peebles of Penn Hills.

"He was a 22-year recovering alcoholic," she said, noting alcohol abuse was prevalent in other family members when she and her brother were growing up in Fayette County. "He just realized one day he was either going to die or turn himself around."

With master's and bachelor's degrees in education from the University of Dayton, Mr. Caffrey had already worked in drug and alcohol programs for the state of Ohio in the 1970s. Once clean, he went to work in 1988 for Tadiso, a 40-year-old program that treats about 650 clients for drug and alcohol dependency.

Until taking a leave last spring, he coordinated a program called partial hospitalization for narcotics addicts, meaning they spent four to five hours a day at the Manchester center receiving intensive group and individual therapy.

"He was unassuming, but powerful in his message about recovery," said Tadiso's director, Marlene Burks. "He was instrumental in getting Narcotics Anonymous meetings going here, and opening up a world of recovery for people who had perhaps given up hope they could live a conventional, normal life."

Mr. Caffrey was a member of the Marianists from 1954 to 1970, primarily working as a teacher and school principal at different locations in Ohio.

One of the courses he taught was acting, and one of his pupils at the Chaminade School in Dayton was the young actor Martin Sheen. Mr. Caffrey spent years on stage himself in Uniontown and Pittsburgh in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He worked professionally at the Pittsburgh Playhouse while holding a day job as a dental assistant.

He devoted much of the past few decades to faithful attendance with siblings and his many nieces and nephews at the Pittsburgh Public Theater, City Theatre, Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theater and other local stage groups.

In addition to Ms. Peebles, he is survived by three other sisters, Mary Catherine Blanc of Uniontown, Maureen Rushe of Forest Hills and Anne Copus of Seattle; and one brother, John Caffrey of Welch, W.Va.

Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. today in St. Maurice Church, 2001 Ardmore Blvd., Forest Hills.

Donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or Tadiso Inc., 1245 Beaver Ave., Pittsburgh 15233.

Arrangements are by Wolfe Memorial Funeral Home, Forest Hills.