Gaffney, Dennis F.
Dennis F. Gaffney, Esq., 84, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 12, 2023, after a brief illness. He was the son of the late Oswald J. and Anna (Flynn) Gaffney. He was born and raised in Meriden and resided there all of his life.
Born on April 14, 1939, the second of six children, Dennis attended St. Rose School and was a member of the Class of 1957 from Meriden High School. At Meriden High, Dennis was a three-sport athlete (football, basketball, and baseball) as well as class president. Upon graduation, Dennis attended the College of the Holy Cross, where he majored in political science and played baseball under legendary coach Jack Barry. Dennis went on to the University of Connecticut School of Law. In 1965, he was named Assistant Prosecutor, State of Connecticut, and in 1967 was named Assistant Chief Prosecutor for Connecticut's Circuit Court, where he worked with and for the late Arnold Markle, one of the biggest influences of his professional career. In 1969, Dennis entered private practice and together with Kenneth Mango, joined the law offices of Robert Luby, Sr. and Gary Olson. Together, they formed the law office of Luby, Olson, Mango, and Gaffney, P.C. Mr. Luby and Mr. Olson were like father figures to Dennis, and his admiration for their legal expertise and service to their country and community knew no bounds. After over forty years helping clients in the greater Meriden area, Dennis joined the law firm of Williams, Walsh, and O'connor, LLC. in North Haven, CT in 2009. He retired from practicing law in 2018 and remained Of Counsel until the age of 80.
During his time as an attorney, Dennis was active both within his profession and the community at large. At different times in his career, he was a Fact Finder/ Arbitrator for the State of Connecticut; Small Claims Commissioner for the State of Connecticut; Chairman of both the New Haven and Waterbury Bar Grievance Committee; and President of the Meriden, Wallingford, and Southington Bar Association. In addition, Dennis was a mentor to several University of Connecticut law students, served on numerous scholarship committees over the years, and was a trustee and long-time lector at St. Rose Church. Dennis was a former President of the Meriden Intermediate Baseball League and the Meriden Hall of Fame Association. He was also a former President of the Board of Directors for the Meriden Boys' Club (now the Boys and Girls Club), and one of the founders and Presidents of the Meriden Boys and Girls Club Alumni Association.
Dennis had a love of athletics, especially the camaraderie that goes with team sports. Almost as important as playing the games was getting together afterwards, usually over a beer (or two) at Dom's and later, Mauri's. Dennis played on championship teams in the Meriden Touch Football League, the Boys' Club Old Timers Basketball League, and Meriden City League Basketball. But his fondest memories were playing baseball, whether it be semi-pro baseball for the Polish Knights and Carabetta Pavers among others or coaching the Stone Travelers and Katz Sport Shop in area leagues including the Greater Hartford Twilight League. Dennis always enjoyed the memories and friendships that came with participating in athletics and relished the opportunity to mentor and coach younger players. After he no longer played or coached, he spent many evenings rooting for the Red Sox, Celtics, and UCONN Huskies.
Throughout his career, Dennis received many honors and recognitions for his athleticism and service to the community. Among them were the Outstanding Young Man Award presented by the Meriden Jaycees in 1971; the Meriden Sportsman of Distinction Award presented by the Meriden Sports Reunion in 1987; a Meriden Boys' Club Service Citation in 1989; a Meriden Intermediate Baseball League Dedication in 1992; induction into the Meriden Boys and Girls Club Hall of Fame in 1994; and Co-grand Marshall of the 2009 Meriden St. Patrick's Day Parade with his cousin and godson, Patrick Noonan. But of all the awards and accolades that came Dennis' way, there was none greater than his family. His greatest win came in 1969, when the former Joanne Longo agreed to marry him. Together, they made a terrific team and were married for nearly 54 years, building a life of love and partnership together. Dennis adored his family and enjoyed spending time with them at Holy Cross tailgates, on Cape Cod, in Maine, and Vermont. Dennis and Joanne stressed hard work, perseverance, and faith in action. They were deeply involved in the academic and athletic endeavors of their children, and never missed an important event in the lives of their children. He was especially proud that all three of his children attended his alma mater, the College of the Holy Cross.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Joanne (Longo) Gaffney; his son Daniel; his daughter Megan Gaffney Ouellette and her husband Scott, all of Meriden, Ct; and his son Patrick and his wife Erin (Mcfarland) of Victor, Idaho. He is also survived by his grandchildren Jacqueline, Lillian, and Owen Ouellette, and Fiona and Aislyn Gaffney. Dennis is also survived by a sister, Margaret (Peg) Roberts and her husband Bill of Tierra Verde, FL; his brother, Robert Gaffney of Wilmington, VT; sisters-in law Helen (Ree) Gaffney of Old Saybrook, CT; Barbara Lupa and her husband Walter of Durham, NC; Donna Gaffney of Meriden, CT; Gail Tanguay and her husband Michael of Kensington, CT; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his brothers Edward, James, and Timothy.
Dennis' family would like to sincerely thank the nurses and healthcare providers at Miller Memorial Community for the patience, care, and compassion they gave to him in the final six weeks of his life.
Dennis' family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday, May 24th from 4-8 pm at the John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home, 88 East Main Street, Meriden, CT 06450. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, May 25th at 11 am at Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish, St. Joseph Campus, 22 Goodwill Avenue, Meriden, CT 06450. Everyone is asked to meet directly at church. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the O.J. Gaffney/matt Noonan Memorial Scholarship, ℅ Patrick Noonan, 137 West Overshores Drive, Madison, CT 06443. For online condolences, please visit jferryfh.com.