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Fort Hood victim had local ties
Capt. John Gaffaney was born in Williston


Published/Last Modified on Saturday, November 7, 2009 6:12 PM CST


(AP) — Capt. John 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, 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 Williston Herald

Comments

    SSG Serrano wrote on Nov 17, 2009 5:50 AM:

    " I know good people don't leave this world as a punishment, instead , they were deployed to another zone that is , where others need assistance in other ways. The "Guy" above will be with you and your family members know that you were a good man, husband and father, thus we all know you are in peace. Thank you for everything "Chief". We love you. "

    T A wrote on Nov 11, 2009 5:05 PM:

    " John went to kindergarten at Mrs. Halverson's in 1959, attended St. Joseph's School from grade 1-8 in Williston, and graduated from Williston High School in 1971. He was a pumpkin the our Halloween program in kindergarten and was elected Fire Chief for Elk's Youth Day during our senior year. For those of us in the Class of '71, he probably also has the distinction of having the worst candid photograph ever taken included in our high school annual. He was a kind, nice kid hiding behind oversize glasses. His family did own Gaffaney's Office Equipment/Supply, a fixture in downtown williston. Such a tragic loss. "

    kathy wrote on Nov 11, 2009 1:49 PM:

    " The New York Times today has a section dedicated to those who lost their lives at Ft. Hood. You can leave comments. Hope other Williston natives will join in leaving a comment for Capt. Gaffaney. "

    T A wrote on Nov 10, 2009 9:47 PM:

    " How very sorry I am to learn of John's tragic death in service to our country. He had farm more than the local ties the headline refers to. I went to school with John in Williston from grade 1-12 (WHS Class of '71) and he was one of the nicest boys there was. Shy, quiet, smart, not flashy, not a jock or a bully. Just a really good person from a wonderful family who owned a local small business, Gaffney Office Supply on Broadway. Learning about his lifetime of service to others makes his senseless death even more of a loss for his family, his sisters and his community. John's life certainly deserves more attention than this article gives him. "

    Nicole wrote on Nov 10, 2009 12:48 PM:

    " I agree with Denver writer. I would love to hear more about his upbringing if he was born in Williston, then moved at 3 months of age or what. Just a thought. I am interested in hearing more about him. "

    More than ties to Williston wrote on Nov 8, 2009 9:24 AM:

    " John Gaffaney had more than just Williston ties, he was born and raised in Williston. Rather than having "Williston ties", please acknowledge him as having at least been a "Williston native" "

    Denver Reader wrote on Nov 7, 2009 7:01 PM:

    " Your headline said he had "local ties" but failed to mention anything more specific than he was born in Williston. Who was he related to in Williston? When did he leave? Did he graduate from WHS? Was he related to the family that owned the Gaffaney store off Broadway? That's what makes the reference to "local" important! Please follow up! "

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