Inwood funeral home owner Jeremiah C. Gaffney, 65

Businessman was well respected and highly educated

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The memories and condolences flooded Facebook pages as hundreds of people posted their thoughts on their friend Dr. Jeremiah C. Gaffney III, who died from Covid-19 on May 6, six days shy of his 66th birthday.

Gaffney, the second-generation owner of owner of Jeremiah C. Gaffney Funeral Home Inc. on Wahl Avenue in Inwood, was hailed as a man who cared deeply about people and in turn made many friends. The funeral home was founded by his father, Jeremiah C. Gaffney Jr, in the 1960s, according to Jonathan, one of Gaffney’s four children that includes in order of birth: Jennifer, Jonathan, Leonard and Lawrence.

“We will strive to continue the legacy of our grandfather and father because of him we are involved in the community and understand the importance of family,” Jonathan said on behalf of his siblings.

Born in the Bronx on May 12, 1954, the St. Albans resident graduated from Martin Luther High School in Queens, earned a degree in biochemistry at the renowned historically black college Morehouse College in Atlanta 1977,  and attained a doctorate in economics from Oxford University. Jonathan said his father was a “proud member” of Omega Psi Phi, a historically African-American international fraternity that has more than 750 undergraduate and graduate chapters.

“I met Jeremiah when I was 3-years-old,” Michael G. Williams posted on Facebook, adding that hearing that Gaffney died is difficult for him as he knew him for more than 60 years. “We grew up directly across the street from one another. As a friend there was no better. We played baseball together, and always ran the youth programs at church. I did the music and he did the sermon. People would ask if we were taking the act on the road soon.”

Felicia Johnson shared Gaffney’s pride in attending a historically black college and said she viewed his family as her own. “I have known Jeremiah C as I would affectionately call him, since 1986,” Johnson write on Facebook. “And his sons they are like my nephews. His daughter graduated from Hampton University the same year as my niece and we were able to see each other during the festivities. His smile and eloquence of speech were genuine. His title of Dr. [was] well-earned and respected.”  

Rhoda Gray remembered Gaffney fondly as the “one who got away.” “I am deeply saddened,” she wrote. “I  grew up with Jerry and at the age of 16, I developed a huge crush on him. But he would back me up and say, ‘You're my best friend’s little sister.’ It’s no secret that I chased him for years, but he was the one that always got away. Lost to me. Gone but never forgotten.”

In addition to his children, Gaffney is survived by two grandchildren, his sister, Mary Elizabeth Jones and her two children.

The funeral service and burial were still being planned as of press time. 

Jonathan said that all of the condolences and personal messages, many from people his father helped their grieving process, “is overwhelming, especially when losing a parent.” The family is expected to keep the funeral home open, he added.