Long-time Historical Society member, Matt Gaffney passed away April 1, 2024. He had been very ill but held on to be the Grand Marshal of the 2024 Swallows Day Parade.
Longtime San Juan Capistrano resident, Matt was an altar boy at Old Mission Church, attended Mission School. He was the first Boy Scout in San Juan Capistrano to attain the Ad Altare Dei Catholic award. After graduating from Mater Dei High in Santa Ana, he joined the Navy and later received his insurance license from Saddleback College. He opened up his own business in 1975 in San Juan Capistrano. He was a two-time past commander of the local American Legion Post and life member of the VFW Serra Post 3801.
Matt’s involvement in San Juan Capistrano committees and commissions included chair and member of the Planning Commission, chair and member of the Traffic and Transportation Commission, and member of the Open Space Committee. Gaffney was a past President an active member of Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort (CARE). He also coached boys football, and girls softball.
Matt followed in the footsteps of his father, Jerry Gaffney. Jerry Gaffney was a WWII and Korean War veteran. Matt’s father served on the first Planning Commission from 1964-1973 and was past President of the Historical Society. The senior Gaffney was inducted to the San Juan Capistrano Wall of Recognition as part of the inaugural recipients when the Wall was established in 2000. Matt followed his father by being recognized on the Wall in 2011.
Matt was a long -time member of the Friday Coffee Chat group which engages in commentary on local issues.
