Edward John Gaffney

Edward Gaffney died at the age of 97 on September 9, 2020, in Dunedin,FL. He died after a short illness of natural causes.

He was a teacher of Vocational Agriculture at Killingly High School in Danielson, CT, Woodstock Academy in Woodstock, CT and Tourtellote Memorial High School in Thompson, CT. After his teaching career, he was guidance counselor a RHAM High School in Hebron, CT. and worked as an administrator at Pinellas Technical Institute in Clearwater, FL, from which he retired in 1990. He was a proud US Army veteran of WWII. He served with the Fifth Division Field Artillery, known as “Red Diamond Division” of General George Patton’s Third Army. He saw action in France, Luxembourg and Germany. He was awarded five battle stars for his service to the war effort. He was a graduate of the University of Connecticut, where received both bachelors and masters degrees. He also received a Sixth Year Certificate from the University of Florida.

Mr. Gaffney was predeceased by his loving wife of 72 years, Louise Sylvester Gaffney. He also leaves 6 children: Edward Gaffney, Jr. of Grosse Pointe Farms, MI., Denise Hartz of Deep River, Connecticut, Mark Gaffney of Lilburn, Georgia, Pamela Willet of Nashville, TN, Patrick Gaffney of Palm Harbor, FL and Terese Gaffney James of Dunedin, FL. He also leaves 15 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

His friendly smile and warm demeanor will be missed by his family and friends. For many decades and up to the time of his death, Ed was a huge fan of the Lawrence Welk Show and never missed it. For the last ten years of his life he spent a lot of time watching vintage TV westerns like Gun Smoke, Bonanza and Have Gun will Travel.

A military funeral service will be held on October 10, 2020, at Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, 2853 Sunset Point Rd., Clearwater, FL 33759. In lieu of Flowers the family has asked that donations be made ASPCA or an animal rescue mission of your choice.