David attended schools in Barre, Waterbury and was a 1973 graduate of Harwood Union High School where he was a member of the varsity teams of baseball and golf. Joining the United States Air Force, David served for five years where he was stationed in Alaska and Oregon. Following his discharge he continued his education at Clemson University graduating in 1986 with a degree in mechanical engineering.
David worked as a civilian employee for the United States Navy on Nuclear Submarines based at the Norfolk (VA) Naval Shipyard, later at the Portsmouth (NH) Naval Shipyard and, since November of this year, at the Naval Supply Depot in Mechanicsburg, PA. In his leisure time he enjoyed biking, fishing, long-distance running, and purchasing homes to renovate.
David is survived by his parents, Roy and Harriet Gaffney of Waterbury; his sister, JoAnne Sweeney and her husband Mark of Kingfield, ME; his brother, Daniel Gaffney of Fairlee, VT; two nephews, Benjamin Sweeney of Portland, ME, and Michael Sweeney of Kingfield, ME; his longtime close friend and companion, Manuela Garcia of Norfolk, VA; his aunts and uncles, Florence and Bruce Carson of Tallmadge, OH, William and Dorothy Fisk of South Burlington, VT, Dolores Gaffney of No. Walpole, NH, Ryno and Sue Gaffney of Clay City, KY; as well as numerous cousins.
Memorial services will be held from the Wesley United Methodist Church in Waterbury on December 14, 2008, at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow in the church dining room. Private inurnment will take place in the Welcome O. Brown Cemetery in Barton this spring. The family requests that flowers be omitted; rather memorial gifts would be appreciated to the American Heart Association, 434 Hurricane Lane, Williston, VT 05495. To send online condolences please visit www.perkinsparker.com. Assisting the family is the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury.
