Francis P. Gaffney | Company chairman, 73

Francis P. Gaffney, 73, of Meadowbrook, chairman of Harry W. Gaffney & Co., died of complications of a brain tumor Saturday, Sept. 11, at Holy Redeemer Hospice in Meadowbrook.

From 1974 until becoming chairman last year, Mr. Gaffney was president and chief executive officer of Harry W. Gaffney & Co., a sales representative and distributor of chemical additives for the coatings, plastics, and food industries.

Under his leadership, the firm, founded by his father in 1922 in Philadelphia, moved to Warminster and expanded its presence in the eastern part of the United States. Mr. Gaffney's son, Patrick, is now CEO.

Mr. Gaffney was past president of the Philadelphia Chemical Club and of the Paint and Coatings Association of Philadelphia.

He was a graduate of St. Vincent's Preparatory School in Latrobe, Pa., and earned a bachelor's degree from St. Joseph's University.

He enjoyed gardening, playing golf at Huntingdon Valley Country Club, and expanding and improving his elaborate HO model train layout.

Since 1966, he had been married to Nancy Walter Gaffney. They met at a Mother's Day dinner at Torresdale Frankford Country Club, where both their parents were members.

In addition to his wife and son, Mr. Gaffney is survived by daughters Meg Trainer and Kiki Judd, two brothers, and seven grandchildren.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, and from 9:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 17, at St. Hilary of Poitiers Roman Catholic Church, 820 Susquehanna Rd., Rydal. Burial will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham.