KENNETH H. GAFFNEY, Sr.

Kenneth H. Gaffney, Sr., 72, of Patnode Avenue, Hope, RI, passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness on Sunday, May 27, 2018, at home with family.  Born in and a lifetime resident of Hope, RI, he was the beloved husband of Betty A. (Picard) Gaffney with whom he would have celebrated 46 years of marriage this fall, and son of the late John E., Sr., and Dorothy (Wilcox) Gaffney. 

Ken worked for the Scituate Police Department, retiring after 20 years at the rank of Sergeant and, after retirement, continued to work as a civilian as the department’s computer and technology guru for another 23 years. Prior to a career in law enforcement, Ken was a US Army veteran serving a tour of duty in Vietnam from 1966-1967 with F Troop 17thCavalry 196thLIB. 

Affectionately known as Ken, Kenny, Dad, Old Man and Papa, he was a Disney fanatic who worked to support his family’s Disney addiction, frequently hobnobbing with the likes of Mickey Mouse and usually found enjoying a Dole Whip while vacationing in Walt Disney World.  The only girlfriend Mom allowed Dad to have was Minnie Mouse because she wouldn’t rat him out. Ken was a avid New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox fan.  If his team was losing, you could always find him doing the Gaffney pout in his favorite chair.  Ken enjoyed puttering around in his garden all summer and then being the envy of the neighborhood during the holidays once the lights and decorations went up.  Above all else, he loved his family.

In addition to his wife, Betty, Ken is survived by his loving children: a daughter, Jennifer Gaffney and her husband John Dowling of Nashua, NH, and a son, Kenneth Gaffney, Jr., of Virginia Beach, VA, three brothers: Gerald Gaffney, Edward Gaffney, and Richard Gaffney, three sisters: Jacqueline Rossi, Janice Cabral, and Fay Cabral, two grandchildren: Anthony Prete, III of North Scituate, RI, and Lily Dowling of Nashua, NH, and many nieces, nephews and close family friends. He was predeceased by two brothers, Woodrow Gaffney and John Gaffney, Jr., and a sister, Frances Masse.

His funeral service will be held on Monday, June 4, 2018 at 10:00 am the IANNOTTI Funeral Home, 415 Washington Street, Coventry, followed by committal prayers and military honors at the RI Veterans Cemetery, Exeter, RI.  Calling hours will be held Sunday from 4-7 pm.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Ken’s memory may be sent to Hope Jackson Fire Company, 117 Main St, PO Box 201, Hope, RI 02831 for all their help throughout the years.  

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