Michael P. Gaffney

Michael P. Gaffney of Croton-on-Hudson, New York, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, December 19, 2022. Michael was born on December 16, 1954, to the late Harry James and Mary (Wolfe) Gaffney in New York City. Mike was a proud New Yorker all of his life, following New York Yankees baseball and New York Giants football, even taking the No. 6 train to Yankee Stadium as a young boy. He grew up in the Pelham Bay section of the Bronx. Mike attended Cardinal Hayes High School for Boys, where he met his lifelong love Kathleen at an autumn mixer in 1969. He was 14 years old. Mike and Kathleen married surrounded by family and friends at Saint Theresa Church in the Bronx, New York on July 31, 1977. They began their life together in their first apartment near Long Island Sound in Throggs Neck.

Mike’s love for music and singing began almost from birth. As a toddler, he’d wake at sunrise and sing loud hymns in the kitchen. In high school, he performed and sang in plays, and in college he was a member of the Fordham a cappella group, the Ramblers of Rose Hill, as well as the Fordham University Glee Club, and the Fordham Madrigal Singers. With these groups, Mike performed all over the Northeast, and at Carnegie Hall. He sang traditional Irish songs with his family at parties. Mike couldn’t go one hour without singing or whistling a tune. He believed the adage that singing is praying twice.

In 1976, Mike graduated from Fordham College with a BA in English, and continued his education, receiving his Master’s in Business Administration from Baruch College, City University of New York. He then spent 20 years pursuing his first career in book marketing and publishing at Scribner’s, Sadlier, Macmillan, and Crossroads, and he launched his own company, Gaffney Marketing Services. Like his father, he loved the book business and embraced education and the quest for knowledge.

In 1984, Mike and Kathleen moved to Croton-on-Hudson and bought their first home. They became deeply involved with their local parish and community, singing in the choir, volunteering at church, coaching American Youth Soccer, participating in community events, and helping others wherever possible.

In 1990 and 1994, Mike and Kathleen were blessed with two sons, Brian and Brendan, whom they welcomed into this world with unwavering love and compassion. Mike passed on his values of faith, integrity, patience and forgiveness to them. He was always there whenever they needed help. The life lessons he and Kathleen taught them helped to shape them into the intelligent, strong, hardworking young men they are today.

In 2003, Mike returned to graduate school to earn his second Master’s in education at Mercy College, after receiving the competitive New York City Teaching Fellowship. He found his true calling to service as a special education teacher in the New York City public schools. Mike

rose to the challenges. In 2007, he earned his third Master’s degree in School Administration from Mercy College and became a vice principal at PS 138M in Harlem, New York. Mike was a dedicated mentor to the school professionals he led. His love for the school and the children was obvious to all.

After 18 years as a teacher and administrator, Mike Gaffney retired in 2022. He spent the last six months traveling and connecting with family and friends. Mike and Kathleen took a bucket list trip to Alaska in fall 2022, where Mike was overjoyed to see a humpback whale jumping through the waves. He and Kathleen celebrated 45 years of love and marriage on July 31, 2022, surrounded by family, food, and song.

In retirement, Michael got to expand upon his love for cooking by preparing new recipes every week for Sunday dinner. He fulfilled a lifelong dream of tending a vegetable garden that his son built for him and using the vegetables and herbs he grew in his cooking.

He is survived by his beloved wife Kathleen (Collins) Gaffney; loving sons, Brian and Brendan Gaffney; and caring sisters, Elizabeth Gaffney (Dwyer), Eileen (Gaffney) Morra and her husband Jim; and his stepmother Marie Gaffney. He was predeceased by his sister Clare (Gaffney) Polidore in 2014.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 30, 2022, from 4:00-8:00 pm at the Holy Name of Mary Church, 114 Grand Street, Croton-on-Hudson, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 31, 2022, also at Holy Name of Mary Church. The burial service will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Michael Gaffney’s name can be made to St. Christopher’s Inn, a ministry of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, who provide residential and day rehabilitation services for addiction treatment and recovery.

St. Christopher’s Inn, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization

21 Franciscan Way

Garrison, NY 10524