George Franklin GAFFNEY

1942 - 2021

GEORGE FRANKLIN GAFFNEY 1942 - 2021 It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of our dearest George in his 79th year. He had led a good life, working hard but loving his play time as well. He touched so many people and earned their respect along the way. George was born in Montreal, the son of George Powers Gaffney and Daisy Marion (Alexander) Gaffney. He attended Loyola for all his schooling years and graduated from Loyola College (now Concordia) in 1964. He leaves behind his wife, Annabelle (McCarthy), their daughter, Meredith Gaffney Stevenson, son-in-law, Dean Stevenson, two granddaughters, Riley and Lola Stevenson, a dear sister Marilyn and husband Bob Quintin, as well as several nieces and nephews. Three days after graduation, George joined the Royal Bank as a management trainee, and began what would be a successful rise within the organization. He held several executive positions and each city the family moved to offered them new experiences and challenges. Moving was his "spice of life", but the 5 years spent in Vancouver as V.P. & General Manager, BC District, were undoubtedly the finest days of his career. After that, George was transferred back to Toronto and took on various senior executive positions until ending his banking career in 2000, as Executive Vice President, Ontario District. George always acknowledged the help and support he received from his wife, Annabelle, and said that his career success was very much attributed to their partnership. Besides a dedication to his work and family, character traits that shone out were a calm determination, faithfulness, honestly, and having a quiet manner interspersed with humour. You could count on George. He was a man of substance. George and Annabelle were married July 26, 1969, in Elgin Ontario. They had met a year earlier in the Rideau Lakes area where George and his Montreal buddies had an annual fishing trip. Saturday night was typically an occasion to attend the local town hall dance. Having consumed more than a few beers during the day, George had enough energy and courage to ask a pretty, young blonde to dance. She declined….he persisted….she caved, and in the end, he hooked a good one. That was the beginning of a love story that lasted almost 52 years. Their one child, Meredith, was born in 1974 and she has made him immensely proud. As a girl, Meredith put up with moving across the country a few times due to her father's career. She became strong and independent from these early experiences. George loved his two beautiful granddaughters (Riley and Lola) very deeply and felt blessed to have a fine son-in-law, Dean. Throughout his career and in retirement, George worked at giving back to the community in which he lived. He served on many charitable organizations and business boards and received several awards for his efforts. George proudly co-chaired the Rick Hansen Foundation for over 25 years. He and Rick had a mutual love of fishing and George was instrumental in founding and orchestrating the annual 'Langara Fishing Challenge' to raise money for SCI research and accessibility programs. In his retirement George enjoyed the warmth of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. He loved deep sea fishing on his beloved boat "Esmeralda", always with his many trusted fishing amigos. Over the years there were numerous tournaments and prize-winning fish - marlin, sailfish, tuna, and dorado. In 2007 he had a lucky catch that landed him the winning fish (largest marlin) in the annual Puerto Vallarta Fishing Tournament. To say the least, fishing was George's passion - Puerto Vallarta in the winter, Haida Gwaii in the summer - always on the water. George also enjoyed spending time on the greens, most happy to beat his son-in-law, Dean, on occasion. Retirement allowed Annabelle and George to travel the world, but of all places, they loved beautiful West Vancouver the most. George loved life. He did not want to go "across that bridge" and fought cancer fiercely until the end. Cremation has taken place and his wishes are for a small graveside service with family. After covid restrictions have been lifted, we will choose a date for a celebration of George's life. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Marck Hudon (G.P.) for his compassionate care, Dr. Paul Klimo for helping George to face and fight stage 4 cancer, and to Dr. S. Tyldesley of the V.C.C. We are also grateful for the community palliative care of Dr. Paul Sugar and to Kim Moscow from Coastal Health. Donations in George's honour can be made to Prostate Cancer BC or to a charity of your choice.