Patrick was a serial entrepreneur right until the end. Companies owned by PLG over the years included:
Gaffney Advertising
New Century Advertising
Atlantic Coast League: Independent Professional Baseball
Rex Communications
New Century Broadcasting
Patrick Gaffney Real Estate
Patrick Gaffney Mortgage, Inc
Florida Limousine
RX Interactions
Pavilion Communications
Patrick and Partners
With plans to start another company in January 2017!
Famous PLG Sayings:
“Turn it over to God”
“Acceptance is the answer to everything”
“One day at a time”
“It is what it is”
“Today might be the day, kid”
"That kid was born to wear a uniform"
“Everything will work out in the end-if it’s not worked out, it is not the end”
“I go to get along”
"Kid, if you've never failed, you've never tried"
“Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it is off to school we go”
“Hey Kid”
“You can’t sell off an empty cart”
“You call, I haul”
“Throw me a thumb”
“I spent my money on wine, women and song, and the rest I wasted”
“If you can’t get your work done by noon, the job is too big for you”
“Hold down the fort, kid”
81 years young, died Wednesday, October 19, 2016 in Sarasota in the presence of his cherished family, who sang, cried, laughed and enjoyed pizza in his honor.
His signature sense of humor and charm lives on in his 5 surviving children; sons, Terrence and Daniel Gaffney, daughters Jennifer (Todd) Lantz, Molly (David) Jackson and Maureen (Joseph) St. Onge. He maintained a dear friendship with their mothers, Judy Amundsen and Anne Mack. Patrick is preceded in death by daughters Anne Patricia Gaffney and Karen Sterling and grandson, Trey Malone. His 19 grandchildren were the light of his life and he was always eager to confer his charismatic wisdom to them, regardless of whether they cared to hear it. His 4 great-grandchildren called him ‘Great’ at his request.
Born September 25th 1935 in Cleveland, to Harry and Betty (McGrath) Gaffney, along with siblings Daniel, Tim, Sheila (Hubman) and Tom. He attended St. Joseph’s High School (Viking Class of 1954) and John Carroll University before serving honorably in the US Army. He made his living in real estate, advertising and broadcasting, with particular success in sports marketing and freelance writing. Patrick had a lifelong interest in sports and politics, leaving as a vocal member of the GOP until the bitter end. He was proud of his decision to relocate his family to Sarasota and lived here happily for 35 years.
A devout Roman Catholic, Patrick faced tough times with boldness and faith, reassuring those closest to him that all would work out well in the end as part of God’s plan.
His giant stature gave him the nickname “Big Pat” which suited his larger-than-life personality and his generous heart. His famous “fist pump” and "thumbs up" will live on in our hearts. As of friend of Bill's and a member of AA, some of his last words were his delight in dying sober. He was overjoyed that the AA meeting he started 27 years ago on Sunday mornings is still attended by many. Patrick was always enthusiastic to share the skills he learned in recovery with others. A spirited mentor, he called nearly everyone he met "kid." He was the life of the party, before and after finding sobriety, and made friends wherever he went. A deeply sensitive man, he kept the hundreds of greeting cards given to him by his family and friends, a testimony to his deep gratitude for life itself. Patrick truly did “play all 9 innings” (as he was fond of saying) and has left his family and friends with a rich legacy of laughter, joy and optimism.
Patrick was well known for his unyielding positivity and his willingness to accept all without judgment. He loved to laugh at himself and found grace in his most humbling moment including his final days.
A celebration of life will be held on Monday, October 24th at 9:30am at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Guests are invited to dress comfortably and wear a splash of green: most who knew Patrick will recall he proudly claimed his Irish heritage by tattooing a bright green shamrock over his heart, which was hard to miss because he rarely wore a shirt to be able to absorb the beautiful Florida sun.
With his belief in providing for solid education opportunities and his love for sports, a Scholarship has been established in his name which will be awarded to high school senior athletes getting ready to pursue a college education. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the scholarship fund thru the non-profit of The Sarasota Area Sports Alliance, P.O. Box 663, Sarasota, FL 34230
