May God bless you and your...
A very good man with whom I briefly worked. An honor, truly, to have known him.
Richard Gilbert LCSW
February 29, 2024 | Work
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Obituary
Gaffaney, 56, was a psychiatric nurse who worked for San Diego County, Calif., for more than 20 years and had arrived at Fort Hood the day before the shooting to prepare for a deployment to Iraq.
Gaffaney, who was born in Williston, N.D., had served in the Navy and later the California National Guard as a younger man, his family said. After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, he tried to sign up again for military service. Although the Army Reserves at first declined, he got the call about two years ago asking him to rejoin, said his close friend and co-worker Stephanie Powell.
"He wanted to help the boys in Iraq and Afghanistan deal with the trauma of what they were seeing," Powell said. "He was an honorable man. He just wanted to serve in any way he can."
His family described him as an avid baseball card collector and fan of the San Diego Padres who liked to read military novels and ride his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
Gaffaney supervised a team of six social workers, including Powell, at the county's Adult Protective Services department. Ellen Schmeding, assistant deputy director for the county's Health and Human Services Agency, said Gaffaney was a strong leader.
He is survived by a wife and a son.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press
Guest Book
Remembering our Hero John !
CPT Sue Graler
November 06, 2014
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CPT Gaffaney and LT Graler at AMEDD OBC
Every year at this time I honor CPT John Gaffaney with a donation in his name to Returning Heroes Home in San Antonio TX. Our 2008 AMEDD Officer Basic Course made a class gift to Returning Heroes Home and so I find it a good tribute to donate in his honor every year. CPT Gaffaney and I were battle buddies during some of the OBC training. I think if him often AND always when there is mention of our fallen heroes. CPT John Gaffaney will not be forgotten.
With utmost respect and remembrance,
CPT Sue Graler
December 10, 2013 | Kaiserslautern, Germany
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Just as no man has power over the spirit or can restrain the spirit, so no one has power over the day of death. Just as no one is discharged during a war, so wickedness will not allow those who practice it to escape. All of this I have seen, and I applied my heart to every work that has been done under the sun, during the time that man has dominated man to his harm. (Ecclesiastes 8:8,9). John is no doubt missed and our prayers still go out to all the victims especially the families...
Robert
December 10, 2013 | Augusta
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Sir,
It has been almost two years since I last saw you. I never got a chance to tell you how incredibly heroic you were, and how much respect and admiration I have for you. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about you or your Family. Typing this brings tears to my eyes, it has taken me this long to write this, but your memory lives on. I will not ever forget you, and what a great man you were. I wish I could speak with your Family and let them know I was with you...
Shasta Ely
October 08, 2011 | Clarksville, TN
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John I never had the honor of meeting you and only just recently have learned about your heroism.
I am now engaged to a friend of yours that you met in California shortly before coming to Ft. Hood. Her name is BarBara Whorley "BB" and she worked with you teaching you several techniques for you to use in working with the Soldiers during your deployment and afterwards. She just recently found out about your heroic efforts to save others lives here on Ft. Hood on that unbelievable...
Larry Crawford
September 06, 2011 | Ft. Hood, TX
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john, it has been 1 1/2 years now since you charged that attacker with a chair in your last act of selfless service. you gave your life in an attempt to subdue his attack. you bravely faced that enemy with no hesitation...a true american soldier. i have missed your presence at the 113th every time we go to drill or trainings, but i know you are with us still, in spirit. i proudly wear your memorial bracelet and hold it out when people ask, then i tell them about cpt john gaffaney, who i...
raul diaz
May 30, 2011 | FL
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Rest in Peace John. I just now a year later learned of your passing. You are a man of the highest caliber and will never be forgotten.
Michael Lounsbury
November 07, 2010 | Fort Mill, SC
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Remembered By
Alexander Turoff
October 15, 2010 | Cold Spring, NY
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