John J 'Bud' Gaffney

Gaffney obit John J. #8220;Bud#8221; Gaffney, passed away peacefully on Friday July 27th, 2007 from complications due to congestive heart failure, He was a quiet, gentle and caring man and will be missed by his friends and family. Bud was born on July 5, 1924, in Orient, SD to John M. and Charlotte (Allen) Gaffney. He married Maxine Moad on April 7, 1947 in Orient, South Dakota. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year Bud grew up in South Dakota during the #8220;Dust Bowl#8221; of the 1930s and attended high school in Faulkton, SD. He served in the U.S. Navy, doing anti-submarine warfare escorting convoys from 1942-45 in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. After discharge from the Nave he pursued a career in Fish Wildlife management receiving a Bachelor#8217;s degree at the University of Montana and a Master#8217;s degree at the Montana State University. He worked for two years with the South Dakota Department of Game Fish Parks, and 30 years as a fisheries biologist with the Montana Fish and Game Department, Bud pioneered trout population studies in the 1960s whish led to substantial improvements in the management of wild trout populations in Montana#8217;s rivers and streams. Bud was an avid hunter and fisherman. Upon retirement he arranged fishing trips to lodges in Canada. Several local anglers had their first experiences in the #8220;far North#8221; on those expeditions. Bud enjoyed goose hunting and making goose decoys which he sold to other hunters. Buds most important achievement was that of being a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He spent lots of time with his children and grandchildren taking the hunting, fishing and camping, etc. Family was always top priority for Bud. He is survived by his wife Maxine of Bozeman, son Dan Gaffney (Gale Ford) of Hickory, NC daughters, Laurie Gaffney (Phil Wittman) of Helena MT, and Kathy Mundy (Jerry) of Bozeman. His 4 grandsons, Austin and Kyle Gaffney, Matt and Kevin Mundy were the lights of his life. He was blessed with a great-granddaughter, Fiona Rose Mundy, age 3. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Agnes Weisner, and Margaret Morris, and his grandson, Kevin Mundy. The family extends special thanks to Marylee Hadella, the Bozeman Hospice and Caring Hearts who lovingly cared for Dad for one year. There will be a Vigil Monday at 7:00 PM, July 30th at the Dahl Funeral Chapel, and a Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday July 31st, 11:00 AM, at the Resurrection Catholic Church in Bozeman. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the Bozeman Senior Center, Ducks Unlimited or Hospice of Bozeman.