James Stephen Gaffney

James Stephen Gaffney was called to heaven on April 23rd, 2022. He was born on April 20th 1958 to James Gerald Gaffney and Loretta Margret (nee Colaprete) Gaffney. He attended Paramus Catholic High School from 1972-1976, where he found love in basketball and the friends he made. Just as Jim Gaffney made the world a better place during his time on earth, he continues to do so now. As a charismatic educator, adoring father, devoted husband, and loyal friend, Jim touched the lives of thousands of individuals during the course of his life. Those who knew him, couldn’t help but be better for it as his spirit was contagious. His soul lives on, embodied in his friends and family, and as a result his influence will always be felt, and he will forever continue to do good, ever-fulfilling his life’s passion.

Jim is survived by his wife of 32 years, Michele (nee Pilger) Gaffney, their five children: Jimmy, Kaitie, Krissie, Stephen and Danny, and his siblings: William and Julia (nee O’Brien) Gaffney, Patricia (nee Gaffney) and Deana Zolfo, John and Mary Helen (nee Murphy) Gaffney and Timothy and Rachel (nee Flauto) Gaffney.

Viewing will be held at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, www.vpfh.com, 257 Godwin Ave, Wyckoff, NJ on Wednesday, April 27th, 2022 from 4:00 - 8:00PM. Mass will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 25 Purdue Ave, Oakland NJ 07436 at 10:00AM with Father Thomas Lipnicki. 

In lieu of flowers please make donations directly to the Cliffside Park High School Special Education Department for the “Jim Gaffney Memorial Scholarship”. 64 Riverview Ave, Cliffside Park, NJ, 07010. Or at the following link:https://www.gofundme.com/f/jim-gaffney-memorial-scholarship

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