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James Joseph Gaffney
October 17, 2020

Obituary

On Sat Oct 17th 2020, James Joseph Gaffney, known by all as Joe, passed away quietly in his sleep at the age of 86 at his home in Dorchester. Joe was born in Glencar, County Leitrim Ireland, on December 12th 1933 to Bernard and Lena (Clancy) Gaffney. He immigrated to Dorchester in 1957 where he met and married the late Anna Theresa Kent of County Wexford, Ireland. They raised three sons Joseph, Emmet and Bernard Gaffney who gave Joe 6 wonderful grandchildren: William, Anastasia, Andrew, Stephen, Amelia and Sophia. After Anna was taken early from cancer, Joe was blessed to have the late Catherine Nee enter his life to be a loving and welcomed part of the family.

Joe Gaffney was a man with solid character, with a solution to every problem and who never lost his Irishness. Despite living with Multiple Sclerosis, Joe lived a full and happy life. Every challenge was an opportunity to look on the blessings he was given, not the hardships he had to endure. Joe loved knowledge, and sharing it, and was a fixture in Boston's Irish community: he was the quick wit in the corner of every Irish social event, and he loved being surrounded by people, dance and Irish music. He was a proud member of Dublin's Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, and a devout Catholic. Joe's generosity, kind words and love for life will never be forgotten.

Joe joins Anna and Catherine in heaven as well as his brothers, John, Bernard and Francis Gaffney. He leaves behind, to honor his memory, his children and grandchildren, his sisters Roseleen Wier, Kathleen Fahey and Rita DuFour, and his brothers Hughie, Desmond and Leo Gaffney as well as many nieces and nephews.

Our father loved you all, and in these difficult times he would have been very upset if anyone ever got ill, even for a good party for him therefore a Private Funeral Mass will be held Friday, October 23rd at 11am interment to follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery. To Live Stream Joe’s Funeral Mass, please go to the following link:: https://vimeo.com/470323724/947f90fd96. In lieu of flowers donations are requested in his name for the Multiple Sclerosis Society or the Leitrim Society.

Content is coming soon...
Gormley Funeral Service
2055 Centre Street
West Roxbury, MA 02132
617-323-8600