Larry G. Gaffaney, 88

Larry G. Gaffaney, 88, passed away at Heritage Place Nursing Home in Kalispell, on July 9, 2005.

He was born July 19, 1916, in Cut Bank, to Clyde Gaffaney and Annie (Connolly) Gaffaney. He attended the Lake Five School, Kalispell schools and graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1937.

Larry served in the Army Air Force during World War II from July 1943 to October 1945, serving in Luzon and New Guinea.

Larry married Florence Nordgren on July 15, 1933, in Kalispell. They resided at Half Moon Lake, Kalispell, Seattle, Cut Bank, Spokane and Coram. Larry enjoyed dancing, fishing and hunting, especially with his children and grandchildren. He loved to cut firewood and spend time at his cabin on Trail Creek in the North Fork.

Larry worked at various jobs including, surveying, drilling rigs in the oilfields, engineering and as a sawyer. In 1955, he returned to school at Montana State University in Bozeman where he received a bachelors degree in teaching. He later received his masters degree. He taught in Frenchtown, Spokane, Idaho and at the Columbia Falls Jr. High. After retiring, he and Florence spent winters in Arizona, where he prospected for gold and enjoyed square dancing.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence; two sisters, Patricia Tough and Mary Hudson; and great-grandson, Aaron Pitman.

He is survived by two daughters, Naomi Hoiland and husband, Duke, of Trail Creek, Maureen Pitman and husband, Harry, of Coram; one son, Larry C. Gaffaney and wife, Gayle, of Deer Lodge; a sister, Vivian Tilton of North Carolina; eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

"A special thank-you to Sheila, staff and friends at Wel-Life Assisted Living for the caring and fun times you provided for Larry. Thanks also to the staff at Heritage Place."

A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Pitman home at 545 Seville Lane in Coram.