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FAIRFIELD, Conn. Dr. Robert E. Gaffney of Fairfield died Monday at the age of 88. Gaffney was the former senior attending physician in family practice at Bridgeport Hospital.
Gaffney was born in Bridgeport on April 4, 1923. He grew up in Fairfield, graduating from Roger Ludlowe High School in 1941. He went to the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., but left in 1943 to enlist in the Army. He served in Europe during World War II and in Japan during the U.S. occupation until 1946. He the returned to Holy Cross, graduating in 1947.
He then worked at Fairfield Universitys library before attending New York Medical College, where he earned his medical degree in 1952. After an internship at Bridgeport Hospital, Gaffney went into practice with Dr. Robert Nevins in Fairfield, a partnership that lasted 46 years. Gaffney retired on New Years Day in 1999.
Gaffneys joy was always music. He started playing drums at Lincoln School in the sixth grade. As an adult, he helped the Doctors Band, a group of 18 physicians and other professionals who played charity events around the area.
Gaffney was predeceased by his wives, Marion Conway Gaffney and Rosemary Bassaline Gaffney. He is survived by his eight children, David, Virginia, Peter, Gregory, Paul, Elissa, Daniel and Michael, 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Calling hours are Thursday, July 7, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. A Mass will be celebrated Friday, July 8, at 10 a.m. at St. Pius X Church, 834 Brookside Drive in Fairfield, followed by entombment at Willowbrook Cemetery in Westport. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the College of the Holy Cross, P.O. Box DEV, 1 College St., Worcester, MA 01610 (please place in memo line of check Marching Band).
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