Gerald Gordon Gaffney

Gerald Gordon Gaffney, 83, of Glenwood Park Retirement Village, Princeton, W.Va., formerly of Christiansburg, Va. and Lady Lake Fla., passed away on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at Glenwood, with family by his side. His many friends and especially his family will miss him so much. Gerald had been a resident of Glenwood since May, 2007. Gerald was born on March 24, 1926 in Groveland, Florida to the late Gordon G. and Fannie Duke Gaffney. Gerald served in the Coast Guard from 1943 until 1946, especially helping to guard the coastal area between New Orleans, Louisiana and Pensacola Florida. After the war he became a pilot and flew crop dusters, helped train military pilots for carrier duty, and also trained private pilots in central Florida. He then worked as a machinist for a heating and air-conditioning company and ended up owning the company in Leesburg, Florida. He and his late wife, Dorothy (known as Skeekie to her friends and family) retired and moved to Christiansburg, Va. in 1986. He was never satisfied to retire, but chose to work at several jobs while living there. Gerald was a Past Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge in Leesburg, Florida, and a member of the Pulaski lodge for many years. He was active in the St. Paul United Methodist Church serving in the Men's Group, singing in the choir, and serving in the group known as the Joy Singers. He married Dorothy (Skeekie) on January 8, 1954. They had no children of their own, but served as parents and grandparents for many neighbors and family members. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, David and Gilford, and his wife. He is survived by two sisters, Gerry Howard of St. Cloud, Fla., and Ramona and husband Roy Pierce of Tampa, Fla. He is also survived by niece and nephew, Mary Jane and Tom Farmer, of Princeton, W.Va. Skeekie and Gerald treated Tom and Janie as their children and their children Richie and Jennifer as their grandchildren. There are many other nieces and nephews; great-nieces; and great-nephews who will miss Gerald's love and guidance. Visitation will be held at the Horne Funeral Home in Christiansburg, Va. on Tuesday from 5 until 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 2 p.m. at the St. Paul United Methodist Church in Christiansburg, with Dr. David A. Goodpasture officiating. with burial to follow at Sunset Cemetery, in Christiansburg. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the St. Paul United Methodist Church, the Montgomery Humane Society, or to Glenwood Retirement Village Memorial Foundation, 1924 Glenwood Park Road, Princeton, W.Va. 24740. The Gaffney family is being served by the Home Funeral Service in Christiansburg. May God bless his friends and acquaintances who knew Gerald as " such a nice man
". On line condolences may be sent by visiting www.hornefuneralservic.com.