Alfred Joseph Gaffney

Alfred Joseph Gaffney was born October 12, 1930, to Agnes and Alfred Gaffney in Toledo, OH. He lived his entire life in the Toledo area.  He was very proud to attend Central Catholic High School where he graduated from in1948. He continued his education at the University of Toledo and graduated in 1953 with a degree in Pharmacy. From 1953 –1955 he was stationed in Washington at the Madigan Army Hospital where he worked as a medic in the U.S. Army. In 1956, he married Shirley Chalet and from this union four children were born.

He began his career as a pharmacist in 1955. He first worked for Max Schwartz at Schwartz Drug. Max taught Al how to manage a business and make money. In 1964, he came to co-own Westhaven Pharmacy with Bill Fox, and he taught him about big business. Al was instrumental in making a small business into a big business that was a popular Maumee establishment. He nurtured local employees who followed him as his career progressed. In 1978, he decided he wanted to go back to small business. His true love was all his customers, and the bigger business took away the social aspect of his career. He owned and operated Gaffney Drug from 1978–1990. Gaffney Drug became a popular place, he really enjoyed that little store. In 1989, he was nominated as pharmacist of the year. 

Al had a large social group; he continued a friendship with a fellow high school graduate meeting for a weekly breakfast until the very end. He was an outdoors man who enjoyed duck hunting and fishing. He loved his wild game parties, euchre gatherings and was well known for his 4th of July parties. He also had racing pigeons and would travel to many different states to compete where he enjoyed racing his prized pigeons and meeting new friends.

He was a well-traveled man, with several fishing trips to Alaska and Canada. He took the family on a 6-week trip across the west. Shirley and Al owned a conversion van, and they traveled thousands of miles across the USA once he retired.

To the very end, he loved life and appreciated being alive. No matter the obstacles he would be optimistic and adjust to the curves he was thrown.  He lost his eyesight, hearing and broke 2 hips, this slowed him down, but he always figured out a way to continue enjoying life.

To his surprise he outlived most of his friends and all his cousins. In his after life, we are certain that he is gathering people for a great time. 

Al is survived by his wife of 68 years, Shirley; children, Diane, Pam, Mike and Chris (Carol); grandchildren, Tyler Brebberman, Emily Mullany, Karsten, Beth and Nick; great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Milo, Rory and Freya.

A visitation will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Maumee, Ohio on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 9:30 AM, until the funeral mass starts at 10:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Al’s memory can be made to The Ability Center of Greater Toledo, 5605 Monroe St., Sylvania, OH 43560. Online condolences to reebfuneralhome.com

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