Joseph J. Gaffigan, ex-mayoral aide

Joseph J. Gaffigan, 89, formerly of Greenhill Farms in West Philadelphia, a lawyer who was a deputy to two Philadelphia mayors, died of kidney failure Monday at Saunders House in Wynnewood.

Mr. Gaffigan grew up with seven siblings in North Philadelphia. He graduated from St. Joseph's Preparatory School and earned a bachelor's degree from St. Joseph's University. During World War II, he served in the Navy in Newfoundland.

After earning a law degree from Temple University, Mr. Gaffigan worked in Harrisburg in the personnel office of the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee. He was a protege of U.S. Rep. William J. Green Jr., who then was chairman of the committee.

When Richardson Dilworth became mayor in 1956, Mr. Gaffigan was his deputy, acting as a liaison among the mayor, politicians, City Council and the public. Later, in Mayor James H.J. Tate's administration, Mr. Gaffigan was promoted to deputy managing director. While in the mayor's office, he served on the Commission of Human Relations and was a member of the Delaware River Port Authority board.

For more than 30 years, Mr. Gaffigan maintained a civil-law practice in Center City. From 1989 until 2004, he served on the Board of Revision of Taxes.

He kept up an interest in politics, his daughter, Priscilla Gutheil, said, and supported local candidates, including Bill Green, William J. Green Jr.'s grandson, who ran successfully for Council in 2007.

Mr. Gaffigan regularly had lunch with cronies and former college classmates. He was a longtime Eagles season-ticket holder, and enjoyed travel and summers at his vacation home in Longport, N.J. He was a member of the Overbrook Golf Club and the Knights of Malta.

Since 1963, Mr. Gaffigan had been married to Virginia Basinski Gaffigan. They met in an elevator at Gimbel Bros.

In addition to his wife and daughter, he is survived by a brother and two sisters.

A Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. today at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 204 Haverford Rd., Wynnewood. Friends may call at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's University, 5600 City Ave., Philadelphia 19131.