Jack Foster Claffy

1919 - 2009

Jack Foster Claffy 1919 - 2009 We have lost a sweet, wonderful Friend, Uncle, Brother and a CHAMP among men. Jack was born to Lawrence Claffy and Fay Olive (Davies) Claffy in Two Harbors, MN, June 3, 1919 and passed away September 16, 2009, in Bakersfield, California. Jack grew up in Two Harbors, MN, a great town where every one knew you. He was a busy student in school (mother was a teacher) and did extra curricular activities and was class President his 8th grade year. He was very athletic and while in high school he lettered in football. Jack was a swimmer, played basketball, hockey, wrestled, baseball/softball (catcher) in which they were the county champions for two years. Jack also loved to play the guitar and harmonica. Jack and his three brothers were well aware that the United States would be pulled into World War II. So with this in mind all FOUR went to join the Navy, one brother because of his bad eyes joined the Merchant Marines. Jack enlisted to serve his country October 29, 1940. He was proud of his service and was on the USS Concord. The USS Concord was on a task force run the last day of the war and fired the last shot (by a warship) of the war. In 1946 Jack was sent to Shanghai, China where he was on permanent shore patrol that was military police and occasionally FBI. It was while stationed here that he met and married the love of his life Sophie Solman. He moved her to San Mateo, CA where they lived for over 59 years. Jack and Sophie never had children, so all their nieces and nephews were very special to them. Jack was a very active and dedicated 50 plus years' member of the Free & Accepted Masons of California, and Past Master in the Masonic San Mateo Lodge #226, Burlingame Bodies of A & A Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Lodge 400, and a Shriner. Jack will forever be remembered for all his accomplishments and the influence that he had on his family and friends, as we were so proud of him. Jack lost his wife Sophie in 2005. He came to Bakersfield, CA in 2006 so that he could be close to family. His beloved sister, Olive Jane Keller of Two Harbors, MN; and several nieces and nephews survive Jack. Masonic Brothers will conduct graveside services at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, September 23, at the Eternal Home Cemetery, in Colma, CA, which is near San Francisco, CA. Jack was a man who had great values and he loved to laugh and share his stories. He was truly a very wonderful person and many loved him. Thank God for men like Jack Claffy