William Gaffrey

MONROE TOWNSHIP - WILLIAM GAFFREY passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at Parker at Monroe in Monroe Township. He was 87 years old. Born in Governor's Island, NY, to Adrian and Lucille (née Killan) Gaffrey. His father spent his career in the United States Army and William and his family lived at several bases in the United States and The Philippines, before settling in Long Branch, New Jersey, following World War II. William graduated from The Peddie High School in Hightstown, NJ, and then attended Syracuse University, and shortly thereafter, met his wife, Elaine, in Syracuse, New York. He resided in Syracuse and then Rochester, New York before moving to North Brunswick, New Jersey in 1983. He had been a resident at Parker at Monroe since 2022. Later in life, both William and Elaine obtained their Bachelor's degrees in accounting from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). William was a US Air Force Veteran, serving as a Staff Sergeant in the Air National Guard based in Syracuse, New York. William was deployed to Germany following construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, only a few months after he married Elaine. Both of his children, Marc and Kim, were born during hi...[more]

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deployments. Prior to retiring in 2004, he was a Credit Analyzer for Orix in Paramus for 20 years. In his spare time, William was an avid fan of Syracuse University sports, a passion he shared with his son, Marc, both alumni. His favorite sports moments were when Syracuse won the NCAA Football National Championship in 1959 and NCAA Basketball National Championship in 2003. Upon retirement he became a fanatic follower of his Grandson Ryan's football (Jackson, NJ) and Grandson Justin's soccer and wrestling (Monroe Twp, NJ) successes, attending every practice and game, William is predeceased by his beloved wife of 38 years, Elaine Gaffrey (née Levy), who passed before him in 1999. Surviving are his son, Marc Gaffrey and his wife, Jill, of Monroe Township; his daughter, Kim Gaffrey-Moroz and her husband, Thomas, of Bayville; his four grandchildren, Justin, Jessica, Ryan and his wife, McKatlyn, Rachel; and his three great-grandchildren, Rowan, Adian, and Lyla. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at 12:45pm, at Floral Park Cemetery, 104 Deans Rhode Hall Rd, Monmouth Junction, under the direction of MOUNT SINAI MEMORIAL CHAPELS, East Brunswick. For directions, please visit our "Services" page.