W. James Gaffney

Those that came to know Jim would no doubt describe him as a kind and good natured man who in his own quiet way left an impression on them. Jim graduated from Akron’s Central High School in 1948 at the age of 16 and after spending a few years in England with his family who had been transferred there became a member of the Cornell University Class of 1955 where he studied hotel and restaurant management. Additionally, he served the United States Army as a communications officer in Seoul, Korea. Following that he returned to Ohio where he began work as a night manager at the once grand Mayflower Hotel in downtown Akron. It was there where he met Mae who worked as a travel agent and would later become his wife in 1966 when they ‘eloped’ to Virginia on St. Patrick’s Day to get married (because Mae, at the age of 46 and 11 years older than Jim, decided a ‘real’ wedding was entirely out of the question – scandalous!).

Within the next year, and much to their surprise, they learned they were to be parents and so, bought a house where they raised their daughter, Michelle, and remained for the rest of their lives - happily ever after. It was around that same time when Jim made a career shift and joined the Traffic Department at General Tire and Rubber as a logistics manager where he made several lifelong friends who have been meeting for lunch once a month for more than 20 years since they all retired. In fact, Jim was fortunate to have shared their fellowship just days before his passing. Throughout his career, Jim was known for his work ethic and, in addition to his position at General Tire, spent several nights a week at a second job working the box office at such venues as EJ Thomas Hall or the Akron Civic Theatre, the gates at Northfield Racetrack, or at special events such as the World Series of Golf. For Jim, this was not just work – but a pastime.

First and foremost, however, Jim was a loving and devoted family man. Cherishing her memories of the most caring, compassionate and supportive father a daughter could have, is Michelle Gaffney. He is also survived and will be affectionately remembered as “Uncle Jim” by a number of nieces and nephews. Additionally, he was fortunate to have had the pleasure of many wonderful neighbors (both 2-footed and 4-footed) over the last 4 decades and they greatly enriched his life with their company. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

In addition to his wife, Mae, Jim was preceded in death by his parents, W. James (Bill) and Ethel Gaffney; his sister Beryl Pearce (of Spaldwick, England and Malaga, Spain); Mae’s parents, Louis and Genevieve Berkowitz; and in-laws, Nathan Berkowitz, Michael and Mary Burke, Lillian Don, and Sarah and Howard Jenney.

Per his wishes, cremation has taken place. Calling hours will be held Tuesday, May 8 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at

Catavolos Funeral Home 3653 W. Market St., Fairlawn, Ohio with a service which will immediately follow at 6:30 pm.

A private graveside service will take place at a later date at Rose Hill Burial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to PAWSibilities®, the Humane Society of Greater Akron, 7996 Darrow Rd., Twinsburg, OH 44087 or http://www.summithumane.org.

Catavolos Funeral Home, 330-665-1700