Col. John J. "Jack" Gaffney, U.S. Army (Ret.)

Col. John J. “Jack” Gaffney, U.S. Army (Ret.) 73, of West Chester, PA died Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at Chester County Hospital in West Chester.

He was the husband of Joan M. (Wajda) Gaffney.

Born September 20, 1946 in Philadelphia, PA he was the son of the late Harry Gaffney and the late Bertha (Kissling) Gaffney.

Jack graduated from La Salle College High School, earned a bachelor’s degree from La Salle College (University), and an MBA from Georgia State University.

He was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer in the U.S. Army in 1968. He attended Airborne and Ranger schools.  He did a tour of duty in Vietnam from 1970-71 where he earned a Silver Star and a Purple Heart amongst other honorable military awards. He was extremely proud to say he served in the 101st Airborne Division. Jack was also stationed in Italy, Germany, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Georgia. After serving for ten years of active duty, Jack resigned his Regular Army commission and enlisted in the Officer Reserves where he continued his career until retiring as a full Colonel in 2006.

After his active duty years, Jack worked as a recruiter which introduced him to the mortgage industry.  He then started a successful mortgage company, Consumer Mortgage Services until he retired in 2009. 

Jack was a member of St. Agnes Church, West Chester, PA and served as President of the Pennsylvania Association of Mortgage Brokers as well as a member of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers. He enjoyed cooking and military history, but his true love was traveling with his beloved wife Joan.

In addition to his wife of 52 years, he is survived by his sons John J “Jack” Gaffney (partner Mary), Kevin P Gaffney (Jenelle); his grandchildren Megan, Brynna, Jackson, Madison, Colin, and Natalie; his siblings the late Alicia Riches (Chet), Kathleen Neary, Thomas Gaffney (Nina), Teresa Curley (Richard “Tim”), and brother-in-law Henry “Hank” Wajda (Donna); and his many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitations on Monday, January 13, 2020 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 410 North Church Street,  West Chester, PA 19380, 610-696-1181, www.DellaFH.com and on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 from 9:00 am - 9:45 am at St. Agnes Church; 233 W. Gay St. West Chester, PA 19380; followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:00 am.

Interment will be in private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Gary Sinise Foundation or the charity of your choice.