Comments on: Gone Too Soon: Henry Gaffney, Adjunct Associate Professor, Has Passed Away

By: Julian gaffney

Julian gaffney — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 19:59:49 +0000

I’m so moved by the kind words here.

Pops,
I miss you, I cherish the memories that you and I shared, you are the greatest father and teacher I could have had.

“Happy endings, a minor bending…”

Your son,
Julian

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 09:24:10 +0000

I’ve known about this for some time, but I thought of him again this evening and googled his name. I had him for a couple of songwriting courses, and man..this guy was amazing. I remember the last time I saw him, the year following the last class I took with him: I ran into him going down the stairs from the songwriting dept offices at Berklee. He stopped me and asked me how I was doing, how my writing was going, because he “really felt I was one of the ones that could make it, that really had it.” I wish he could see what I’m writing now, I think it’s much better haha I’ve never forgotten that moment, and I never will. It meant a lot to have such a wonderful man think that much of me.

By: Kevin McCluskey

Kevin McCluskey — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 01:12:44 +0000

Henry, Henry, Henry, man do I miss you already. A few years back, I was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of working and living in Manhattan – all because of Henry.

Henry introduced me to Jim Anderson and I was hired to teach a semester of Music Business Entrepreneurship at the Clive Davis Dept. of Recorded Music.

I got a place on the upper East Side and spent 2-3 days a week in NYC and the rest of the week back in Boston at Berklee.

Henry often made me laugh so hard I thought my teeth would pop out of my head.

Henry, you were spot on, all the time. A powerful sense of being able to observe and truly SEE what was happening.

To all my former colleagues and students at NYU, my thoughts and prayers are with you all and with Henry and his family.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 28 May 2010 02:51:23 +0000

Gaffney was the first person who showed any faith in my song writing. He taught me how to be a beginner and that to just keep working and writing, despite all of my insecurities and self criticism, was a success in and of itself. He had a great impact on the person I’ve become and I will always remember him fondly as one of the most influential professors in my life.

By: Mary

Mary — Fri, 28 May 2010 00:57:10 +0000

He will be missed. Henry was a good, decent person full of life and lots of humor. Rest in peace my friend.

Love,
Mary

By: Mike Witzer

Mike Witzer — Tue, 25 May 2010 15:50:14 +0000

One of the greatest teachers I had, and certainly one of the greatest songwriters I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. His patience and lighthearted humor were unparalleled (even cracking memorable jokes during early morning classes). I’ve become a much better musician and songwriter as a result of our much too short one-semester songwriting class, and for that I am extremely grateful. Henry Gaffney will be sorely missed.

By: Nicholas Sansano

Nicholas Sansano — Tue, 25 May 2010 11:40:01 +0000

Henry was loved by all on the faculty and staff. He will be more than missed – his passing will be mourned. He was one of the “great ones”. All our love to his family, may he rest in peace.

By: Jen K

Jen K — Tue, 25 May 2010 03:04:52 +0000

Just last night, Sunday the 23rd, I was telling my mom the story you told our class of the time you met John Lennon. You were one of my favorite songwriting professors, and you made me laugh with your raw, Brooklyn humor.
Rest in peace, my friend.

By: Sophie Ash

Sophie Ash — Tue, 25 May 2010 02:36:29 +0000

I’ll never forget Gaffney. Thank you for your wisdom, your support, your kindness, and your life lessons. I will carry them with me forever. Rest in paradise.

By: Emily Maggiotto

Emily Maggiotto — Tue, 25 May 2010 01:54:26 +0000