Deceased Name: John J.

Claffey

SPRINGFIELD John J. Claffey Jr., 78, a retired conductor for the Boston & Maine Railroad, died
Thursday after a long illness. He worked for the railroad for 41 years, retiring in 1981. Born in
Salem, he was a 1939 graduate of Salem High School. He was an Army veteran of World War II
and assigned to the 725th Railroad Operating Battalion Station in India. He was a former
secretary and treasurer for the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen and United Transportation
Union, Local 587. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Indian Orchard Council 160;
American Legion Post 26 and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 2571, both in Hartford, Vt. He was
a communicant of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church and active on its Bingo Committee. He
leaves his wife of 48 years, Eileen A. (Kelly); three daughters, Mary Janeczek of Ludlow, Ann
Gervais of Westfield and Ellen Mantolesky of the Feeding Hills section of Agawam; two sons,
Kevin J. of Springfield and John M. of East Longmeadow; a sister, Catherine Cloutier of Salem;
two brothers, Arthur of Beverly and William of Salem; and 12 grandchildren. The funeral will be
Monday morning from Sampson Chapel of the Acres and in the church, with burial in Gate of
Heaven Cemetery. Calling hours are Sunday afternoon and evening. Memorial contributions may
be made to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School Endowment Fund, 51 Rosewell Ave.,
Springfield, Ma., 01119 or to the Hospice of Western New England, 50 Maple St., Box 9058,
Springfield, MA 01102.