John Gaffney, 91, of Acton, formerly of Concord, died on August 4 at Rivercrest Nursing Home. He was the husband for 63 years of Isabel "Pinky" Planeta Gaffney. John was born in Winchester, MA on May 12, l921, the son of Francis and Annie Robinson Gaffney. He graduated from Winchester High School and attended Bates College for one year before his induction into the Army in l942. After serving for 3 1/2 years in the U.S. and the Pacific theater, John returned to Bates and graduated with a degree in Physics in l948. The Gaffneys, who were college sweethearts, married in l949. In l950 John earned a master's degree in physics from the University of Notre Dame. John's first work experience was with the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington D.C. as a research physicist in underwater sound and low temperature physics. From l955 to l959 he was a member of the Product Development Laboratory at IBM in Poughkeepsie, NY. He returned to New England to work for Raytheon in semiconductor marketing, and as Manager of the Reliability and Analysis Laboratory in Sudbury, and later provided technical supervision of personnel in Raytheon's Trident Missile program. For two years before his retirement he established and was Resident Manager of the Trident Captive Line in Sunnyvale, CA. John was the author and co-author of numerous technical publications and was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and the American Physical Society, as well as the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. After retirement John devoted much of his time to his hobby of woodworking. As an Emerson Hospital volunteer he became the temporary custodian of the Emerson Hospital Pratt Tall Clock and did much research pertaining to its origin. This research was published in the NAWCC Bulletin. Besides his interest in clocks and woodworking, John had an avid interest in birds, music and Shaker history. The Gaffneys and two of their Bates classmates were instrumental in bringing the Columbia Artists Series of Community Concerts to the Poughkeepsie area. These concerts brought metropolitan New York City artists to smaller communities. While at Bates, John's barbershop quartet performed at the college, in the community and as singing waiters at the Centennial Springs House in Maine. John will be remembered for his many gifts. He had an ability to see the humor in everyday life. He inspired us to find and appreciate life's laughable moments. He was a man of deep empathy. He could enjoy a toddler's laugh as easily as an elder's life story. We felt his warmth and caring in his spontaneous hugs. John also had a strong analytical mind that he used to solve physics problems, to create intricate wooden bowls, and to craft many clocks and toys. Survivors, in addition to his wife, include his children Lorna Stafford of Overland Park, KS; Kathryn Carson and her husband Jack of Kingston, NH; Michael Gaffney of Fairfax, VA; and Christopher Gaffney and his wife Kathleen of Sherborn, MA. Another son, John F. Gaffney, predeceased him. John is also survived by six grandchildren: Christin Howard, John Stafford, Meredith and Matthew Carson, and Michela and Sarah Gaffney; and 3 great grandchildren: Luke and Andrew Howard and Lauren Stafford; as well as many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held Friday August 10th from 4 to 7 pm in the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday August 11th, at 11 AM in Holy Family Parish, Monument Square, Concord Center. Concord's town flag will fly at half-staff on Saturday in recognition of Mr. Gaffney's service to his country during World War II. Donations in his memory may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472 or to Sol Amor Hospice, 161 S. Main St., Suite 209, Middleton , MA 01949. Arrangements are under the care of Charles W. Dee and Susan M. Dee, Dee Funeral Home of Concord. To share a remembrance in his guest book please visit www.deefuneralhome.com Visitation: Visiting hours will be held Friday August 10th from 4 to 7 pm in the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center. Service: A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday August 11th at 11 am in Holy Family Parish, Monument Square, Concord Center.