GAFFEY, John 1835-1915

GAFFEY, MANION, DUFFY

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 10/12/2016 at 19:34:21

Death Of John Gaffey

Long Time Grundy Resident Passed Away Thursday

Old Age Was Cause Of His Death

John Gaffey who resided in Grundy county for thirty-five years died at his home in Traer last Thursday afternoon. General debility due to advanced age was largely the cause of his death. Mr. Gaffey's decline began about six months ago. Though he was given the best of care and medical skill obtainable he continued to grow weaker from day to day and at the end death came peacefully.

Funeral services were held in the Catholic church at Traer at 8:30 on Monday morning. Following the service his remains were sent to Grundy Center and they were laid to rest in the family lot in the Catholic cemetery. A large number of friends from Grundy Center went down Monday morning for the funeral service and fifteen Traer friends together with the relatives accompanied the remains and were present at their interment.

Obituary
John Gaffey, a former resident of Grundy Center passed away at his home in Traer, Ia., Thursday, Apr. 22, 1915. He had been in failing health for some months. Everything medical aid and loving hands could do was done for him, but after months of patient suffering, he answered the final summons and passed to his reward.

John Gaffey was born in Rosconnon County, Ireland in 1835. When still a child he immigrated to America with his parents, settling in New Jersey. He later moved to Sterling, Ill., and thirty-five years ago came to Grundy County as one of its early pioneers. Here he resided until two years ago when he moved to Traer, Iowa.

He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Margaret Manion of Sterling, Ill. Of this union, three children are left to mourn his loss, Thomas of Sanborn, Luke of Chicago and Mrs. T. Strother of Hubbard.

He was married later to Miss Anna Duffy, who with five children, are left to mourn his loss, John of Elma, Dr. J. W. of this place, Dr. F. H. of Bradgate, Ia., Mrs. A. J. McGovern of Traer and Ida of Chariton, Ia.

Mr. Gaffey was a man of strong character who won and held throughout his life time, the friendship and respect of all who knew him. His life was unostentatiously spent, but it was an exemplary career, sincere, honest and upright.

He was an uncompromising Catholic among a race of men who in the days of pioneer life and later were strong pillars of the church. His christian life was an example worthy of imitation by all.

The death of such men as Mr. Gaffey always seems as untimely, -?- if the allotted years given -?- have been spent.

The funeral services were held at -?- Catholic church at Traer Monday at 8:30 in which Revs. C. -?- of Traer, P. D. Mulcahey, of -?- and Father Norris of this place participated in a solemn Requiem High Mass. His remains were then brought to this city and laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery.

The pall bearers were: William Balfour, Chas. Postian, John Hayes, Henry O'Connor, Jacob Snyder, Albert Mathern, Thomas Lonnergan and Michael Kennedy.

The out of town friends and relatives attending the funeral aside of the children who were all here in attendance were: Mr. and Mrs. Ed Duffey of Chicago; Mrs. J. A. Humphrey of Minneapolis, Misses Alice and Margaret Strother, grandchildren of the deceased of Hubbard. Besides these a number of friends went from here to accompany the remains back to this place.

The number of beautiful floral offerings testify to the nobility of his life.

--Grundy County Democrat (Grundy Center, Iowa), 29 April 1915, pg 1