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In Memory of
Richard F.
Claffie
Claffie
2006
Click above to light a memorial candle.
Obituary for Richard F. Claffie
RICHARD F. 'DICK' CLAFFIE, 78, formerly of Dalton, died Saturday, October
14, at his home in The Villages, Florida.
Born in Medford, December 15, 1927, he was the son of Francis G. and Mary E.
Claffie, he lived in the Boston area, and moved to Dalton in 1938. He attended Dalton
schools and was a graduated from Wilbraham Academy in Wilbraham in 1945.
A World War II veteran, he served in the United States Navy aboard the USS
Wisconsin. Following his discharge in 1946, he entered Suffolk University and graduated
from its Law School 1952. He then practiced law in Pittsfield, with his father, Francis G.
Claffie, for nearly 20 years. Following the death of Francis Claffie in 1971, Timothy J.
Sullivan joined Mr. Claffie in the practice of law under the firm name of Claffie and
Sullivan until Mr. Claffie retired in 1992.
While in Dalton, Mr. Claffie was very active in community affairs. He served as
Town Counsel for a number years, was a member of the Rotary Club, the American
Legion, and Wahconah Country Club.
He was a communicant of St. Agnes Church and was a member of its Parish
Council, a lay reader, and an ecumenical minister. He was a member of the Board of
Directors of the National Council of Catholic Laity, past Grand Knight of Columbus
Council 411 of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the 4th Degree Bishop Conty
General Assembly. In 1994, he moved to Cape Cod where he became an avid golfer and a member of
the Captain's Golf Course in Brewster. He enjoyed his Winter home in Florida, as well.
In addition to golfing, his interests were ballroom dancing, clamming, fishing, and the
activities of the Portuguese American Club in Falmouth. Mr. Claffie leaves his wife, the former Marlene R. Soderberg whom he married in
2005. His first wife, the former Carolyn E. Holden, whom he married in 1954, died
September 13, 2003.
Besides his wife, Mr. Claffie leaves two sons, David Claffie of Westford,Massachusetts, Stephen Claffie of Limington, Maine; three daughters, Ann Mottley of Pittsfield, Jane Strong of Harwich, and Mary Secor of Brewster; five grandchildren, four stepchildren, seven step grandchildren, and one step great grandchild.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for RICHARD F. CLAFFIE, who died Saturday,
October 14, will be Saturday, October 28, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Agnes Church, celebrated
by Rev. Michael Lillpopp and Rev. Mr. Pasqual Baldasaro. Burial will be in Fairview
Cemetery. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr.
Claffie may be made to Hospice of Lady Lake & Sumter in The Villages, Florida, in care
of DERY-FOLEY FUNERAL HOME, 890 East Main Street, Dalton, MA 01226.
Mr. Claffie is survived by his grandchildren, William Strong, Erin Strong, Tyler
Claffie, Robert Mottley, and Drew Claffie.
14, at his home in The Villages, Florida.
Born in Medford, December 15, 1927, he was the son of Francis G. and Mary E.
Claffie, he lived in the Boston area, and moved to Dalton in 1938. He attended Dalton
schools and was a graduated from Wilbraham Academy in Wilbraham in 1945.
A World War II veteran, he served in the United States Navy aboard the USS
Wisconsin. Following his discharge in 1946, he entered Suffolk University and graduated
from its Law School 1952. He then practiced law in Pittsfield, with his father, Francis G.
Claffie, for nearly 20 years. Following the death of Francis Claffie in 1971, Timothy J.
Sullivan joined Mr. Claffie in the practice of law under the firm name of Claffie and
Sullivan until Mr. Claffie retired in 1992.
While in Dalton, Mr. Claffie was very active in community affairs. He served as
Town Counsel for a number years, was a member of the Rotary Club, the American
Legion, and Wahconah Country Club.
He was a communicant of St. Agnes Church and was a member of its Parish
Council, a lay reader, and an ecumenical minister. He was a member of the Board of
Directors of the National Council of Catholic Laity, past Grand Knight of Columbus
Council 411 of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the 4th Degree Bishop Conty
General Assembly. In 1994, he moved to Cape Cod where he became an avid golfer and a member of
the Captain's Golf Course in Brewster. He enjoyed his Winter home in Florida, as well.
In addition to golfing, his interests were ballroom dancing, clamming, fishing, and the
activities of the Portuguese American Club in Falmouth. Mr. Claffie leaves his wife, the former Marlene R. Soderberg whom he married in
2005. His first wife, the former Carolyn E. Holden, whom he married in 1954, died
September 13, 2003.
Besides his wife, Mr. Claffie leaves two sons, David Claffie of Westford,Massachusetts, Stephen Claffie of Limington, Maine; three daughters, Ann Mottley of Pittsfield, Jane Strong of Harwich, and Mary Secor of Brewster; five grandchildren, four stepchildren, seven step grandchildren, and one step great grandchild.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for RICHARD F. CLAFFIE, who died Saturday,
October 14, will be Saturday, October 28, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Agnes Church, celebrated
by Rev. Michael Lillpopp and Rev. Mr. Pasqual Baldasaro. Burial will be in Fairview
Cemetery. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr.
Claffie may be made to Hospice of Lady Lake & Sumter in The Villages, Florida, in care
of DERY-FOLEY FUNERAL HOME, 890 East Main Street, Dalton, MA 01226.
Mr. Claffie is survived by his grandchildren, William Strong, Erin Strong, Tyler
Claffie, Robert Mottley, and Drew Claffie.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard F. Claffie, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
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