Obituary of John William Gaffney

John William Gaffney John William Gaffney, 81 passed away peacefully on December 11th, 2019 surrounded by family and friends. He leaves behind his wife of 28 years, Donna (Marcum) Gaffney: His brother Thomas Gaffney, daughters Terry (Cheryel), Sharon and Karen (Darin) and son Michael (Lynn) and step son Sherman (Dawn). He was proceeded in death by his son James John Gaffney and his brother Lawrence Thomas Gaffney, parents Lawrence and Grace. John also had several grandchildren, Stephanie, Justin, Jonathon, Jessica, Shawn, Brandon, Trevor, Corey, Jordon, Jamie, Jacob, Jerry, Kelly, Ray, Paige Jerrid, Ashley, Marissa, Brooke and 20 great grandchildren. Born and raised in Minneapolis Minnesota October 21th, 1938 to Lawrence and Grace Gaffney John graduated from De La Salle High School and quickly joined the US Army which took him to Alaska. Soon after that he pursued to becoming an X-Ray Specialist and this eventually led him to the Portland Oregon area where he resided. John worked and eventually retired from Kaiser Permanente after several decades of service there. John was an avid bicyclist and traveled around the world touring places like Ireland and New Zealand riding around the countryside. He frequently participate in the (STP) Seattle to Portland bike race and completed this in a single day. He was a staple riding along the roads of Portland with his noticeable Viking bike helmet. This continued until he suffered a stroke that took him off the bike he loved. One of John’s favorite sayings was: Gaffney’s, where the women are strong, the men are handsome, and the children are above average. John was quite the character, and many can attest to this. He enjoyed his family and friend and making them laugh and offering them a “Wee Bit of Irish Whiskey” from time to time. May the Lord keep you in his hand and never close his fist too tight.