Obituary of Patrick R. Gaffney (Gaff)

Tragically killed on his motorcycle on September 11, 2018 at age 50.  Predeceased by his parents, Roger and Shirley (nee Reardon) Gaffney; father in law, George Snyder; Aunt Maryellen , Uncle Ed Gavin, Uncle Walt Gaffney, Uncle Larry Gaffney; Aunt Jackie Reardon; cousin, Casey Gaffney.

Survived by his loving bride Sandra Snyder-Gaffney; children, Samantha Snyder, Tara, Kate, George Gaffney; sister Linda (Joe) McManus; nephews Joey, Daniel; nieces, Shannon, Kelly; mother in law, Donna Snyder; sister in law, Yvonne (Steve) Gramlich; nieces, Emily, Audrey; sister in law, Jean Snyder; Aunt Phyllis Gaffney; Uncle Jerry Reardon; life long cousins, Margaret, Theresa, Maureen, Ellen, Joe, Jim, Melissa, Wally, Colleen, Denise, Brenda, Jerry and newly found cousins.

Patrick served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 6 years and was on active duty during Desert Storm.  He also served 22 years and had recently retired from the Monroe County Sheriff Department. 

Family and friends are invited to call on Monday, September 17 from 4-8 at the funeral home, 15 West Ave. Spencerport, followed by an Honor Guard service by The Marine Corps and Monroe County Sheriffs Department.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Patriot Guard Riders of NY, P.O. Box 637 Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 in Patrick's memory.

Life story of Patrick Gaffney

Pat was born on July 6, 1968 in Johnson City, NY and grew up in Endwell, NY. His father was a banker and his mother was a homemaker, he had one sister Linda Marie.  When Pat was about 11 years old he loved to play with his BB gun.  His sister Linda, who at the time was 9 and she had many stuffed animals. Linda noticed one day something was off with her stuffed animals, upon further examination, there was BB holes found in them. Pat always put them right back in their same spots and he had used them for target practice and when his mother confronted him, he gave his signature chuckle.

Pat loved sports growing up especially camping, fishing, boating and as he started a family loved sharing those times with them.  After graduation high school he went right in the U.S. Marine Corps that was in 1986 till 1992. He was with the 2^nd Tank Battalion and was a Marksmanship Instructor, he was in Desert Storm and was a Sergeant when he left the Marine Corps.

He was a great father and had special friendships with his children, Samantha (25), Tara (20), Kate (18) and George (11).  He also had a love for dogs and has 4 of them, Sophie, Shelby, Mayse, Toola.

He married his loving bride, Sandra in a small intimate wedding.  He was friends with Sandra’s sister, Yvonne and she finally introduced them, and the rest is history.

Pat had great memories going to Wellesley Island, NY.  Having 3- week vacations and driving through the country to California and Notre Dame games and enjoying yearly camping trips with his sister, Linda and her family.

His favorite activities were motorcycle riding, bowling, golfing, camping with the family and he excelled in all the sports. He had so much fun with his family having backyard fires and just sitting with them and everyone sharing stories.

Pat’s teams that he followed were Notre Dame, Mets, Giants and MMA fighting. One of his favorites saying was “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with BS.”

As said by a co-worker and 24-year friend “Pat was an excellent Deputy. A man of few words, but when he spoke people took notice. He had a knack for throwing out a one liner from left field that would make you stop look at each other. and laugh our heads off.”

Pat’s family is his wife, 4 children, sister, 2 sisters in laws, 2 brothers in laws, many cousins, mother in law, and his best friend for 30 years, Tom.

His tattoo said it all “Family, Honor, Loyalty” and that was how Pat lived his life.