John Edward Gaffney

John "Jack" Edward Gaffney, 86, formerly of Cortlandt Manor, New York and for the last 15 years Tampa, Florida, went home to be with the Lord peacefully on Monday, March 27th at his home surrounded by his loving family. Jack’s family was blessed beyond measure to have had this beloved man in their lives and to have been witness to the great example that he set for all those who knew him.

Jack was born in New York City to Elizabeth and Harry Gaffney on July 16th, 1936. He graduated from Gorton High School in Yonkers, NY, class of 1954. Jack joined the Air Force in 1960 and was honorably discharged in 1967. While stationed at Laredo Air Force Base in Laredo, Texas, Jack met his wife, Irma Contreras, and married on June 6th, 1964. Jack and Irma have been married for 58 years.

Jack graduated from New York University in 1967 with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics. He went on to work at IBM for many years, before co-founding a high-tech computer software company, Data Switch, in Danbury, Connecticut. Jack sold the company and retired from corporate life in 1988.

As the good book states, it is better to serve than to be served. Jack took this calling seriously, as he embodied the spirit of serving his fellow citizens by his deep commitment to giving back. Jack entered this world of public service in 1976 where he served 12 years as Town Councilman and later Town Supervisor of Cortlandt Manor.

In Jack's tenure as Supervisor, he accomplished several historically significant events for the Town including a Cortlandt Manor post office designation and first ever town-owned town hall. He loved his time in Cortlandt Manor, serving the community. Jack was later appointed to several high-level positions within New York State Governor George Pataki's administration including Director of Special Projects at the NYS Empire State Development Corporation and later as head of the New York State Bridge Authority.

Jack was deeply involved in his Town of Cortlandt community where he served as Chairman of Westchester Crime Stoppers. He held a senior role with his Catholic parish, Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Peekskill and played a pivotal role in building their new chapel in 1979. Jack was also very active with several local charities and had a warriors servant heart for people. He was proud and honored to be part of all of these endeavors during his time in New York.

However, that was only part of his story. Jack was a fitness enthusiast and true adventurer. He ran the NYC Marathon - amongst other long-distance races - and took part in several mountain climbing expeditions all over the world, including the Matterhorn in 1996. He participated in a dog sledding expedition in Baffin Bay, Canada, a desert survival mission in Death Valley, several multi-day rafting expeditions and even sailed the Atlantic on small crew sailing vessels. Jack was also an avid cyclist and triathlete.

Jack lived a happy and full life; the greatest legacy Jack Gaffney leaves us is a plethora of happy and joyous memories that reside in his family.

Jack is survived by his wife Irma Contreras Gaffney and their three children Mark Gaffney, Sara Gaffney Mahoney (Kieran Mahoney) and Scot Gaffney (Michelle Abry Gaffney). Jack had ten grandchildren who he loved fiercely: Kieran Mahoney, Tyler Gaffney, Jack Mahoney, Madeline Gaffney, Isabel Mahoney, Aidan Mahoney, Bella Bateman, Allie Bateman, Liam Gaffney & Luke Gaffney.

Jack was preceded in death by his sister; Catherine Sanchez; his brother; Harry Gaffney; his nephew; Lt. Col. William Anderson and his niece; Kathleen Anderson. He is survived by his sister, Norah Haggerty (James) and several beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Mark Gaffney, Scot Gaffney, Kieran Mahoney, Bob Anderson, Kieran Mahoney Jr., Tyler Gaffney, Jack Mahoney, Aidan Mahoney and Liam Gaffney.

Visitation will be on Friday, March 31st from 4-7pm at Blount & Curry Funeral Home- Carrollwood Chapel, 3207 W Bearss Ave, Tampa, FL. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 1st at 11 am at Jesuit High School, Chapel of the Holy Cross, 4701 N Himes Ave, Tampa, FL.

There will be a Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life for Jack in New York the weekend of April 27th. Details to be announced.

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