Joseph J. Claffy, Sr.,78, of Fords died February 10, 2011, at JFK Medical Center in Edison.

Born in South Amboy, Mr. Claffy was a resident of Fords for 46 years. He was a maintenance supervisor for East Jersey State Prison in Rahway for 12 years before retiring. He also worked at Tenneco Chemical, Keasbey, for 26 years. After Joseph retired, he and his wife helped with maintenance at Our Lady of Peace RC Church, Fords for the past 28 years.

He was a member of Our Lady of Peace RC Church and the Blue Army at the church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus at Our Lady of Peace. Joseph was a veteran of the Navy and served during the Korean Conflict.

He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Illes, in 2009. Joseph is survived by his wife, Georgette (Grimek) Claffy, to whom he was married to for 54 years; four children: Renee Miller and her husband John of East Windsor, Dawn Aube and her husband Lowell of Fords, Joseph J. Claffy, Jr. and his wife Viviana of Fords, and Robert Claffy and his wife Amy of Edison; eight grandchildren: Melannie, Elizabeth, Michael, Katherine, Matthew, Mary, Maggie-Ann, and Jeanelle; two great-grandchildren: Michael and C.J.;
brother John Claffy of Chatham; two sisters: Peggy Mucha of Middletown, and Ann Ohlinger of South Amboy.

Funeral Services will be on Tuesday, February 15, 2011, at 10 AM from FLYNN AND SON FUNERAL HOME, 23 Ford Ave., Fords followed by a 10:30 AM Funeral Liturgy at Our Lady of Peace RC Church, Fords. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Piscataway.
Visitation will be on Monday from 2:00-4:00 & 7:00-9:00 PM. Knights of Columbus will hold a prayer service at 7:30 PM.