Whalen William Gaffney, 23, died as the result of a car accident in
Warren on Sunday, March 7, 2009. Born in Rhode Island on December 31,
1985, he was the son of Pamela Siner and Bill Gaffney.
He grew up in the Mad River Valley, and also spent time in Rhode
Island. After attending Linden Hill School in Northfield, MA, Whalen
graduated from Harwood Union. He had been employed by S. D. Ireland
Company in Burlington, which he loved. Recently, he had begun working
at Jay's Restaurant in Waitsfield.
Whalen had some opportunities to travel abroad, which were especially
important to him. A few years ago, he and his father took a special
excursion to Ireland. Whalen was very proud of his ancestry, and had an
affinity for all things Irish. He loved contemporary Irish music,
especially The Pogues, and he was known to savor the Guinness.
Additionally, Whalen had a surprising passion for history.
A young man who was loved by young and old, family and friends, Whalen
was not shy about giving his mother and siblings a kiss, and he will be
fondly remembered for never leaving the house or hanging up the phone
without saying, "I love you." His family takes comfort believing that
surely Whalen now rests in the palm of God's hand.
Whalen is survived by his mother, Pamela Siner of Warren, and his
father, Bill Gaffney, of Narragansett, RI; his sisters, Alleigh and
Shannan Gaffney, and brother Liam Smith; maternal grandparents, Al and
Pat Siner; paternal grandmother Nancy Gaffney; a wonderful nephew,
Cayden; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family.
A service will be held at Saint Patrick's Church, Main Street,
Moretown, at noon on Tuesday, March 17. A reception will immediately
follow at Jay's Restaurant, Mad River Green, Waitsfield. In lieu of
flowers, the family requests that any donations folks may wish to make
go to support the college education of Liam Smith, Whalen's only
brother. Contact Missy Siner Shea at
"May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand."
