GREENSBORO — John Lawrence "Jack" Gaffney, age 93, passed away peacefully at home on November 7, 2012, after an extended illness. At his side were Catherine, his wife of 69 years, daughter Ellen, son John, and daughter-in-law Jacquelyn Seymour. Other surviving family members include his sister Kathryn Tausche, five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews and their respective families, all who adored him.
Jack was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on August 27, 1919, as the sixth of seven children of John Andrew Gaffney and Emma Radick Gaffney.
He served in the U.S. Army as an officer in the Quartermaster Corps in World War II. In 1943 while stationed at Camp Lee, Virginia, he married Catherine Minetree of nearby Petersburg. Their son John was born in 1944. Jack participated in the invasion of Okinawa in 1945.
Their daughter Ellen was born in 1948 in Petersburg where Jack was a salesman for the Strietmann Biscuit Company, later to become the Keebler Company. He rose through the sales management ranks at Keebler to become the Midwest Regional Sales Manager. Late in his career, he and Catherine transferred to Greensboro, North Carolina, where he retired in 1981. He was a member of YBM, and many business colleagues remembered him as an excellent people manager and mentor.
Jack was an avid golfer, and he and Catherine were long-time members of Starmount Country Club in Greensboro. He loved giving informal golfing lessons, marshalling at golf tournaments, and selling gently-used golf balls.
There will be an inurnment service for the family on Wednesday, November 14, at the Columbarium of Starmount Presbyterian Church, where Jack and Catherine have been long-time members. Later on Wednesday from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m., there will be an open house for family and friends at the Gaffney home, 1804 Caulfield Drive, Greensboro. Memorial donations may be made to Starmount Presbyterian Church or favorite charities.
Jack's family and friends remember him as a warm, friendly, and funny man. We are sure he is now looking for gently-used golf balls in the tall green grass just inside the Pearly Gates.
Online condolences may be offered at www.forbisanddick.com