Mourning a loss

Among the 13 victims in last week's shooting at Fort Hood, Texas included a man who was born and grew up in Williston.

Capt. John Gaffaney, 56, was a psychiatric nurse from San Diego County, Calif., who'd just arrived at Fort Hood the day before Thursday's base shooting, the deadliest in United States history.

Family members on Monday described Gaffaney as a compassionate family man dedicated to serving his country as well as others in need in general.

"Duty and honor for him was everything," said Michele Vannote, Gaffaney's sister. Vannote, who currently resides in Fargo, said her brother was a Williston High School graduate, class of 1971. After he graduated, he went to college in Seattle, when his love of swimming and scuba diving later led him to joining the Navy. After five years in the Navy, he joined the Army National Guard and moved to the San Diego area. He retired with the rank of Major after more than 20 years of service. Gaffaney most recently held the position of supervisor with the county Adult Protective Services Department in San Diego.

Vannote said her brother was very dedicated to serving again after the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001. She said he had tried to re-enlist, but he was denied at the time.

"They said they didn't need him at the time," said Vannote.

She said it took her brother a couple of years to convince the Army to take him back.

Gaffaney was set to be deployed to Iraq as a psychiatric nurse specializing in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He was assigned the rank of Captain when he re-enlisted instead of Major.

"When we saw him for his 56th birthday in July, he was getting ready to take his one-year leave of absence to deploy to Iraq," said Vannote.

After some basic weapons training in Topeka,Vannote said her brother told her he was riding down to Fort Hood for final preparations and deployment.

"He had just arrived at Fort Hood the day before. He had gone into the health-services building to compose a "last will and testament" and to get his health and mental checkup. He'd only been in there for like 15 minutes...we just lost him too soon," said Vannote.

Vannote's husband, Vance, also said Gaffaney was a compassionate, caring man. He said the decision to re-enlist at his age was a bold one, and said a lot about his character and strong desire to help others.

"He was very dedicated in his decision to go back, at age 53, 54 trying to re-enlist. It took a lot of perseverance and a great deal of thought to do that," said Vannote.

Gaffaney's other sister, Joan Williams of Philipsburg, Mont., said she was very close with her brother although seeing him was at times tough with the long distance between them. Williams said her family was so proud of him and miss him immensely.

"He was definitely doing what he wanted to do. He has so much support from his family and he was so proud to be a member of the military," said Williams.

Gaffaney's cousin Marg McKennet of Williston said Gaffaney was a good man from a good family. She said her family, the McLaughlin family, were close with the Gaffaney family, who founded Gaffaney's office supply business. She said the family still has strong ties to the Williston area and remembered him as a really positive individual growing up and at family events.

"He was just such a nice guy. We missed connections over the years, but we had some holiday dinners together. There was our parent's 80th birthday in Phoenix 12 years ago, that was a big day for all of us," said McKennet.

Michele Vannote also recalled how her brother was always interested in seeing and doing new things and wanting to enjoy them with others. She said he was constantly "trying to find out more about things, do some research and then go do it...and it would be even better when someone came along."

Vannote said Gaffaney went out of his way to take their granddaughter to Disney Land the last time they visited, and also set up a tour at a guitar and banjo factory knowing that her husband is a fan of the instruments, building them as a hobby.

"John was a very playful and loving man," said Vannote.

Gaffaney's family will travel to Fort Hood for a memorial service Tuesday that will be held for all the victims, also to be attended by President Barack Obama.Gaffaney's body will be flown to San Diego on Thursday. A full military funeral will take place Friday, with a military burial to take place Saturday.

Gaffaney is survived by his wife, Christine and 31-year-old son Matthew.