MARK E. GAFFNEY
May 24, 2026
MARK E. GAFFNEY – of Woburn, died May 24th at seventy-five years of age. Cherished partner of Virginia “Ginny” Chapman. Dear brother of Keith A. Gaffney and his partner Michele of Wakefield, John Brian Gaffney and his wife Donna of Florida, Bruce C. Gaffney and his wife Dana of Medfield, and James F. Gaffney and his wife Francine of Lowell. Loving uncle of Shawn, Melissa, John, Connor, Hunter, and Kyle Gaffney. Mark was predeceased by his beloved wife, Margaret K. “Peggy” (Maher) Gaffney. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a Funeral Service in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn, on Tuesday, June 2nd at 10 a.m. Interment in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Calling hours will be held in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home on Monday, June 1st from 4 to 7 p.m. Remembrances may be made in Mark’s memory to the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund – Ruth and Richard Connolly Fund, 300 Arnold Palmer Boulevard, Norton, MA 02766.
Mark was a true Renaissance man: a loving husband and partner, trusted friend, devoted son and brother, respected public servant, talented artist and craftsman, accomplished golfer, and successful businessman.
Born in 1950 to John “Giffie” Gaffney and Eleanor “Belle” (O’Doherty) Gaffney, Mark was the eldest of five brothers born over a fifteen-year span. The family home on Doherty Place was lively and full of love, with two parents, five boys, and an uncle sharing four bedrooms and one bathroom. It was a home filled with laughter, visitors, and constant activity — an upbringing that shaped Mark’s personality and values. Mark was a member of the first class to attend the Hurld School before continuing on to Kennedy Junior High School and Woburn Memorial High School. He later graduated from UMass Boston with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and went on to earn his teaching credentials.
Mark began his professional career as a substitute teacher and later held a permanent teaching position at the Kennedy. At the same time, he pursued his artistic talents through sign painting, creating detailed and beautifully crafted golf course maps that are still displayed at clubs throughout the area today. Eventually, Mark devoted himself fully to his business, Gaffney Signs, which he successfully operated for more than fifty years, in collaboration with his brother, Keith. Mark took tremendous pride in both his craftsmanship and his reputation for quality work. In addition to hand-painted signs and vehicle lettering for many local businesses, he embraced new techniques and technologies over the years, expanding into vinyl signage while maintaining the artistry that made his work distinctive. Many Gaffney signs remain throughout Woburn as lasting examples of their talent and dedication.
Deeply committed to his hometown, Mark proudly served the city as Alderman of Ward 3 – the neighborhood where he spent all his life. He was respected for his dedication to the community, fairness, and willingness to help others. When asked what strengths he brought to the council, Mark answered with the humility and practicality that defined him: “Common sense, maybe, and I know a little bit about being in business — I’ve been self-employed since 1980 — and an open mind. I don’t have an agenda and I like to learn new things.”
Golf was one of Mark’s great passions. Taught by his father at a young age, he eventually surpassed even Giffie’s considerable skill. Mark became a scratch golfer and multiple-time club champion at Woburn Country Club. He later earned status as a PGA Professional and worked as an assistant golf pro at the club. He served as a board member of the Woburn Golf and Ski Authority, working diligently to ensure that the Country Club was managed and cared for properly. In the mid-1980s, Mark also joined Winchester Country Club, where he remained an active member for the rest of his life.
In addition to golf, Mark loved music and enjoyed attending concerts with lifelong friends. For many years, he was a long-distance runner and later became a familiar sight walking the streets of Woburn each day.
Mark lost his father to cancer in 1980 but remained devoted to his mother until her death in 2009. During Eleanor’s final years in a nursing facility, Mark visited every day. His kindness and consistency made him a beloved presence there, and he continued volunteering at the facility even after her passing.
Mark was fortunate to find love twice in his life. He shared a loving marriage with Peggy from 1988 until her passing in 2015. Years later, at his fiftieth high school reunion, he connected with Ginny, whose companionship and love brought him great happiness and gratitude in his later years.
Mark will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Cherished partner of Virginia “Ginny” Chapman. Dear brother of Keith A. Gaffney and his partner Michele of Wakefield, John Brian Gaffney and his wife Donna of Florida, Bruce C. Gaffney and his wife Dana of Medfield, and James F. Gaffney and his wife Francine of Lowell. Loving uncle of Shawn, Melissa, John, Connor, Hunter, and Kyle Gaffney. Mark was predeceased by his beloved wife, Margaret K. “Peggy” (Maher) Gaffney.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a Funeral Service in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn, on Tuesday, June 2nd at 10 a.m. Interment in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Calling hours will be held in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home on Monday, June 1st from 4 to 7 p.m. Remembrances may be made in Mark’s memory to the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund – Ruth and Richard Connolly Fund, 300 Arnold Palmer Boulevard, Norton, MA 02766.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a Funeral Service in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn, on Tuesday, June 2nd at 10 a.m. Interment in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Calling hours will be held in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home on Monday, June 1st from 4 to 7 p.m. Remembrances may be made in Mark’s memory to the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund – Ruth and Richard Connolly Fund, 300 Arnold Palmer Boulevard, Norton, MA 02766.
To entire Gaffney family, my thoughts and prayers to you. Mark was always a gentleman and enjoyed his walks by our house. Just reminding my self that we are all getting a little older and that is okay. A friendly smile will be missed, not necessarily a close friend but a friendly face. Always thought they were important to smile at and wave to. Friendly faces are never ever not appreciated. Never golfed with him as he didn’t like windmills on the course.
Mark …a true craftsman….always available to lend
a helping hand no matter the cause …proud Woburn
man…had many friends at Winchester Country Club…
longtime member ….
Hi Keth and Gaffney,
So sorry for the loss of your brother. May he rest in peace!
With a very heavy heart we will honor, and say goodbye to you on June 2nd. We will remember your kindness, sense of humour, and willingness to always lend a helping hand. May you rest in peace dear Mark…
Dear Jay,
Sincerely sorry to hear about Mark. Hope you and yours are doing well, sending hugs.
It was nice to work with Mark in the spirit of politics. He was a good public servant & good man. I’m glad I had the opportunity to know him.
Oh I was so sorry to see this notice of Mark’s death. He was such a great guy. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing him for over 50 years back to the times we were at Woburn Country Club. You could always hear Mark coming while riding on his Kawasaki and parking up by the pro shop he worked in. His father might have been working too driving up in that lime green 59 or so Plymouth. A great very soft spoken guy. I remember playing golf with Mark and he brought a Super 8 movie camera and was filming all our swings and checking them out later down in the greenskeeper barn.Wonder if that film still exists. Later in life stopping in at his shop to have a sign made or lettering put on my truck. Always a smile on his face as he tried to help a person out, asking how everything was going. He had so many qualities that aren’t so common anymore. You could always find him at the Library Park Blues Festival every year helping to raise money for veterans. Just a joy to have a conversation with him. His family and Woburn really lost a good one. Hope to see you again Mark when it’s time. RIP
Thanks for everything. Have a Sam Adams with the good Lord.
RIP
Mark
I’ll miss you Mark! My uncle, my teacher!
And Friend
Rest in peace Mark your contributions will be missed.
Thoughts and prayers with all.
🙏
So sad to hear of Marks passing. So many great childhood memories, that go back well over 60 years. The world has lost a wonderful person. our thoughts and prayers to the family. RIP Mark.
Ginny, and Gaffney Family my deepest condolences.
Mark was one of the nicest guys I’ve ever known. He had a way of making everyone feel welcome, and if you met him, you instantly had a friend.
Deepest condolences to Ginny and the Gaffney family.
RIP old friend.
We are keeping the Gaffney Family in our thoughts at this very sad time. Please accept our sincere condolences. We are so sorry.
So very sad for Mark’s passing,a tremendous loss as he was a very special man to many . I was lucky to have him as a mentor with Gaffney Signs and a friend. He touch alot of people and will be always be thought of.Rest easy my friend 🧡
I am sad to hear Mark has passed. He was always helping Woburn County Club and the Woburn community to be better as i was the professional for over twenty years at Woburn County Club.
My prayers are with the family.🙏
Still trying to process the fact that he’s gone. Many great memories going back more than 50 years. Mark was one of the most peaceful, non-judgmental, least confrontational people I have ever known. RIP Giffie, you’ll be missed. Sincere condolences to the entire Gaffney family.
RIP Mark
Mr. Gaffney was a big part of our WCC family , doing all of our Championship boards all throughout the clubhouse and with all my staff names and boards in the cart barn bag storage and Starters booth .. he always came through regardless what I needed .. he was a good man and I’ll surely miss him 🙁
Our deepest sympathies to the brothers and families of Mark Gaffney. We’ve had the pleasure to know the Gaffney family for over fifty years and there isn’t a finer family. Mark was a great guy and his obituary does him justice. He lived his life with kindness and purpose. Mark will be missed by all of us.
“People come and go in your life, but the right ones always stay”, whoever wrote that must have known someone like Mark, as the kind, caring, generous and gentle man that he was, a salt of the earth type of guy. I’m a better person for having been lucky enough to have had him in my life
I am so saddened to hear of Mark’s passing. I was lucky enough to become friends with him at WCC about 10 years ago. He was the real deal; a truly good person, talented, hardworking, always enjoying life and the people it brought his way. I will always be glad to have known him. My deepest condolences to Ginny and his family.
RIP Mark May the good Lord watch over you. My condolences to Ginny and your family.You were always a good guy.
Diana and I are so saddened by Marks passing.
He was a wonderful person,great to travel with(Scotland!)
Always enjoyed his golf(and the post game “deliberations”).
He will be missed.
Jim/Diana Lane
All good things come to an end, I guess. We had lots of fun along the way. I’ll be looking forward to the next time we tee it up.
Joe Ogasapian
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Mark was a great friend.
To Ginny and the Gaffney Family. I am so very sorry to read this sad news of Mark’s passing. I considered him a friend for so many years. Mark was loved by many and will be truly missed. Rest in Heavenly Peace my Friend.
Rest in peace old friend.
R.i.p mark love carpenter family.
He will truly be missed at his 2nd home of W.C.C.
I’m so sorry for your loss . Mark was such a good man.
Lots of WZLX, Painting, Pink Floyd and Beer. Mark was one of my dearest friends. I would not be where I am today without him. Really hard loss for such a gentle kind person. He was the best of the best.
with deepest sympathy George Adams
I am so saddened to hear of Mark’s passing. He struggled for so long but always had a smile.
RIP Mark May the good Lord watch over you. My condolences to Ginny and your family.You were always a good guy.
I am so saddened to see the passing of my cousin Mark; my thoughts and prayers to Keith, Brian, Bruce, Jay and the rest of our family during this very difficult time.
Requiescat in pace
Eternal rest grant unto them,
O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they Rest In Peace. Amen. May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest In Peace. Amen.
Ginny, & Gaffney family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. The ones we love are never forgotten they live within our hearts. May you know peace and comfort.
God bless,
Charlie, Charlene, & Bobby