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Gary Joseph Gaffney, a lifelong Storm Lake resident, restaurateur and friend to many, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2026, at the age of 72 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Graveside services will be held Friday, July 31, at 11 a.m. in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Storm Lake. An informal reception celebrating Gary's life will follow at The Cobblestone in Storm Lake. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
Gary was born at Buena Vista County Hospital on May 6, 1954, to John and Dolores Gaffney. He grew up in Storm Lake at the family house overlooking the lake. He attended St. Mary’s elementary and Storm Lake High School, where he graduated in 1973. He also attended Buena Vista College, where he graduated in 1977.
Some of Gary’s fondest memories from his youth were of hot summer days water skiing with friends, of evenings “cruising the loop,” of cold winter days tobogganing onto the ice and Friday night football games where he started at guard for the Tornadoes.
Always a hard worker, Gary began helping his father and uncle Dick Gaffney at the Sale Barn while still in his teens. The Sale Barn was a pillar of the local business community for more than 45 years. Gary eventually oversaw the Saturday auction crew, often spending long afternoons herding cattle, hogs and sheep in and out of the auction arena.
In 1993, Gary purchased a building on Lake Avenue and opened The Boathouse, a lake-themed restaurant. It’s walls were soon covered with hundreds of $1 bills signed by customers. Known for its steaks and ribs, warm atmosphere, and Gary's strong, occasionally irascible kitchen presence, The Boathouse became a Storm Lake institution. Gary offered many young folks in need of work — including new arrivals to the country — a chance to earn a wage and build a new life. Many customers became lifelong friends, and Gary rarely went anywhere in Storm Lake without stopping to visit with someone he knew.
Even after being diagnosed with lung cancer in 2024, Gary met his illness with toughness, humor and very little self-pity. Asked one morning what his plans were that day, he smiled and replied, "The dead man walking is going out for breakfast."
He loved Storm Lake — he never wanted to live anywhere else. Other than the occasional drive to Omaha or Sioux City, he didn’t feel a need to visit many other places. It was home, and he couldn't imagine a better place to spend his life.
He was a simple, unpretentious guy — content to entertain friends at his house or head out for lunch or dinner at a local spot, enjoying conversation over a couple of beers.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, John and Dolores Gaffney.
He is survived by his sister, Gaylen Nicolas, and his brother, Mark Gaffney, as well as many lifelong friends who will miss his humor, kindness and companionship.
His family would like to thank the staff of Methodist Manor and St. Croix Hospice for the kindness and compassionate care they provided during his final months.
