GAFFNEY, John Richard "Dick"
GAFFNEY, GIBSON, PRIEBE, RIEGLE, SIMMER, NOVACEK, STURGES, CASTRO, BONNER, JABERG
Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 5/27/2013 at 02:35:50
Obituary - John Richard "Dick" Gaffney
1930 ~ 2012The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, IowaJohn Richard (Dick) GAFFNEY, 81, of 200 Third St. South, Swaledale, died Wednesday, April 11, 2012, at his home.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Monday, April 16, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 305 Elm St., Rockwell. Officiating will be Monsignor John HEMANN. Interment will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Swaledale.
Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. today, Sunday, April 15, at the Sacred Heart Parish Center, with a wake service at 4 p.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Swaledale Fire Department. Condolences may be shared with the family on the funeral home website at www.Fullertonfh.com.
John Dick was born to John and Dorothy (GIBSON) GAFFNEY on Feb. 12, 1931, in Mason City. He was a graduate of Swaledale High School.
John Dick began working for John Jinrich's implement dealership and later started his carpentry career with Harvey Polsdofer. After a few years, he began his own carpentry business where he worked for the next fifty plus years. John Dick joined the Swaledale Fire department in the early 1950's and became chief in the early '60s. He retired as chief in 1995 and continued his support of the fire department as an honorary member.
On Jan. 29, 1951, he was united in marriage to Lucille PRIEBE. John Dick built their home in Swaledale where they raised their two sons. They were happily married for 60 years until Lucille's passing last year.
Over the years, he enjoyed hunting, playing pool, and golfing with his buddies. He also loved watching sports and playing cards weekly with the guys. He had a special love for animals especially his cat Sophie. John Dick was admired and respected by those whose lives he touched.
Survivors include his two sons, John Randall of Boulder, Colo., and Edward and his wife Lorena, Swaledale; five grandchildren, Catherine RIEGLE, Terra GAFFNEY-SIMMER, Sarah NOVACEK, Angela STURGES, and Benjamin GAFFNEY; five great-grandchildren, Bridget GAFFNEY, Brooke GAFFNEY-SIMMER, Tyler and Ethan RIEGLE and Grant NOVACEK; one sister, Anne Jane and her husband Tony CASTRO, Sebring, Fla.; and his in-laws Luella and Jim BONNER, Clear Lake, and Gene and Miriam JABERG, New Brighton, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews.
John Dick was preceded in death by his parents; brother Robert, and wife Lucille.
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2013
Cerro Gordo Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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