George Almon Gafner

1937 - 2014

VERONA >> George Almon Gafner, 77, completed a well-lived life, passing away peacefully into Eternal Rest surrounded by family on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014. He was born June 28, 1937 in Rome, N.Y. the son of Albert and Martha Palmer Gafner.
A dairy farmer, George lived at the same house his entire life. From a young age, George worked alongside his father on the family farm and after graduating from Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School in 1954, took over management of the farm's operation. He could always be found working in the barn or in the fields, and rarely was away from the farm for more than a few hours. It was years between the days he "took off." Yet, he was never once heard to complain. To him the farm was not work – it was what he loved.
In 1968, George married Marcia Norton and had four children – Becky, Bill, Holly, and Chris. Whether through work or play Dad always found time to spend with the family and taught us more about values and life than we will ever fully appreciate.
Throughout his life, George was blessed to have his older brother, Randall, with whom he was very close. The two worked together on the farm until the very week of George's passing, and they shared a great brotherly bond.
George was also blessed to have more friends than his children could ever count. No matter where he went, George ran into someone he knew and could talk to them as if he has just seen them the day before. George was a member and trustee of the New London United Methodist Church, member of Oneida County Farm Bureau, director of Oneida-Madison County Milk Co-Op, member of Farm Land Protection Board, New London Fire District commissioner, former FSA committee man, and member of Genex Cooperative.
He is survived by his wife, Marcia; his four children and their spouses, Rebecca VanDuLuitgaarden, William and Katherine Gafner, Holly and Jason Roush, and Chris and Ivy Gafner; seven grandchildren, Justin and Jeremy VanDuLuitgaarden, Emma and William Roush, Jackson, Gemma, and Josephine Gafner; his brother and sister-in-law, Randall and Julia Gafner; along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, and other family members.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday at the First United Methodist Church, Rome. Interment will be Rathbunville Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at the Prince-Boyd & Hyatt Home for Funerals, Inc., 210 W. Court St., Rome Wednesday from 1-4 and 6-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one's choice.
You may view the obituary and send a message of sympathy online at www.princeboydhyatt.com.