James J. Gaffney

James (Jim) Gaffney died Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 78 years old. Jim was born in Ardonan, County Cavan, Ireland on January 19, 1940. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and May, and his beloved brother Hugh. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Maura, his son Tom (Sydny Carter) of Seattle, WA; daughters Kathleen of Falls Church and Susan (Ariel Pereira) of Arlington, as well as six grandchildren; Eamon, Mylos, and Una Gaffney and Gabriel, Jack, and Lucas Pereira. Jim is also survived by his sisters Rita McManus, Kathleen Lennon, and Phyllis Janssen, and many nieces, nephews, sisters and brothers in-law. Jim immigrated to the United States in 1960, where he met his wife Maura. Jim and Maura raised their family in Brentwood, New York. He was a proud graduate of both The Cooper Union and Columbia University. He spent most of his electrical engineering career in the telecommunications industry and enjoyed the opportunity to travel extensively with his work. Jim loved his family, both here and at home in Ireland, and enjoyed many life long friends. He had an abiding curiosity about the world, was a big fan of music and baseball, enjoyed reading, trivia and word games, especially beating (cheating?) his kids at scrabble. He was fond of a tale, the taller the better, and appreciated a good bourbon over ice. Jim was much loved and will be deeply missed. As a proud alumnus, it was Jim’s wish that in lieu of flowers donations be made in his memory to The Cooper Union. Visit cooper.edu/give, call (212) 353-4103, or mail to: The Cooper Union Office of Alumni Affairs and Development, 30 Cooper Square, 8th floor, New York, NY 10003. Please be sure to indicate that the gift is in memory of Jim Gaffney, Albert Nerken School of Engineering, Class of 1968. Friends may call at Advent Funeral Services, 7211 Lee Hwy. Falls Church, Virginia 22046 on Tuesday, March 27th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Wednesday, March 28th at 10:00 am at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 3304 N Washington Blvd. Arlington, Virginia 22201. Interment private.