Francis E. Gaffney

Highland - Francis E. Gaffney, 80, a longtime resident of Highland, died Saturday, November 3, 2007 at St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Mr. Gaffney was a Carpenter, employed by New York State, retiring in 1989. He was a life member and past President of the Clintondale Fire Company; member of the former Pang Yang Hunt Club; life member of the National Rifle Association; life member of the V.F.W. Post #6534 in Highland; life member of the New Paltz Knights of Columbus; a member of the New York Snowmobile Association; a member of the Shawangunk Mountain Snowmobile and Rescue Club; and a member of St. Augustine R.C. Church in Highland. Mr. Gaffney served in the United States Army from 1945 to 1946, with overseas deployment to Japan in 1945. Born November 17, 1926 in Copake Falls, N.Y., he was the son of the late Francis L. and Clara O. Gaffney. On March 28, 1948 in Holy Trinity Church, Poughkeepsie, he married Elizabeth L. Seaman. Mrs. Gaffney died December 27, 1999. Survivors include his daughter, Francine Canino and her husband, Thomas of Clintondale; his son, Patrick Gaffney and his wife, Sally of Rhinebeck; granddaughters: Jennifer Gaffney of Boston, Mass., Kimberly Corriher and her husband, Jason of Athens, Ohio, and Christin Becker and her husband, Ryan of Charlotte, N.C.; two sisters, Mary Martin of Rhinebeck and Claire Guido of Highland; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a brother, Robert, and a sister, Margaret. Calling hours will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, November 6, at the Michael Torsone Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 38 Main St., Highland, NY 12528; 845-691-2281. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 7, at 9:30 a.m. in St. Augustine R.C. Church in Highland. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Marlboro. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Clintondale Fire Co. For directions, please visit www.torsonememorial.com.