HERKIMER-Henry Edward Gaffey age 83 of Ronald Street passed away on Tuesday morning May 8, 2012. He had the support and comfort of his loving family at his side. He was born on December 16, 1928 in Herkimer, son of the late Henry and Rachael Hyer Gaffey. A lifelong Herkimer resident he was a graduate of Herkimer High School. He continued his education graduating from Utica College and then went on to Syracuse University where he received a Masters Degree in Education. Hank was an honorably discharged US Army veteran of the Korean War having served in Germany. On September 12, 1953 he was united in marriage with the former Beth Jones in Ilion. She preceded him in death on May 11, 1989. Mr. Gaffey first taught history at Roosevelt School in Utica. In 1958 while completing his college studies, he purchased a brand new fully equipped ice cream truck and started to sell ice cream. For more than twenty years his Mr. Softee Truck was a familiar sight to all in the Mohawk Valley. In more recent years he had restored the truck for use in parades. Proudly his truck is now on display at a museum in Boyertown, PA. Henry was an entrepreneur, besides operating his ice cream business he also started Gaffeys Automatic Car Wash in 1979 which he successfully ran until 2002 when he retired. On July 28, 1995 he married the former Dorothy Merriam in Herkimer. Henry was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Ilion. A man with a keen sense of community, he was a lifetime member of the Herkimer County Historical Society, the Herkimer County Humane Society, the Crowley-Barnum American Legion Post # 25, Mohawk and for thirteen years he was with the Herkimer County Development Corporation. Most notably he was appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees of Herkimer County Community College by Governor Mario Cuomo, from 1990 until 1999. In his leisure time he enjoyed fishing and was a staunch New York Yankee fan as well as his beloved Syracuse Orange Sports Programs. To all who knew him he will always be remembered as a kind and generous man who was happiest when he was surrounded by his many friends family. He will be greatly missed. Surviving are his devoted wife of sixteen years Dorothy, one son Matthew and his wife Mary Gaffey of Herkimer, two cherished grandchildren, Kara Niesinger of Girdwood, AK, Matthew and his wife Erin Niesinger of Homer AK and a nephew David Miller and his wife Lisa of CT. Besides his parents and first wife Beth he was predeceased by a daughter Christine Niesinger in 1984 and sister Betty Ann Miller in 1987. Calling hours for Mr. Gaffey will be in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer on Thursday from 4:00 until 7:00 pm. A funeral service will follow at 7:00 pm in the funeral home with the Reverend Victor McKusick, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church Ilion officiating. Interment will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery at a later time convenient to the family. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the Herkimer County Humane Society or the Herkimer County Historical Society. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.