Edward W. Claffy of Hinsdale passed away Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 2022, surrounded by his family.
He was born in 1933 to Anne Swain and Edward Benedict Claffy.
An alumnus of St. Ignatius Prep (1951), Loyola (1956), and the University of Chicago (1978), Edward applied his education, quick wit and ingenuity towards entrepreneurship. Fail-Safe, the company he began with Peter Thornton in 1977, was sold to Cooper Industries in 1993. Edward was a proud member of the Electrical Association for 63 years.
His personal life was one of service, working as a hospice volunteer until his later life. His passion was for sailing on Lake Michigan, which led to winning 1st place in his division in the Race to Mackinac in 1988.
He was happiest surrounded by family and near the water. He cried at a good steak. The legend of his generosity, humor, and endurance will remains.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Claffy.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Margaret Claffy, née McGovern; his four children, Joseph Robert Claffy, Mary Beth Tamm and Maureen Anne Claffy of Hinsdale and Edward Swain Claffy; his 13 grandchildren; his three great-grandsons; and his sister, Sally Schmitz.
Visitation is at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, at St. Isaac Jogues Parish, 304 S. Vine St., Hinsdale. A Mass will follow at the church at 10 a.m. Friends and family are invited to gather at his favorite place, The Chicken Basket in Willowbrook, following the Mass.
Memorials may be made online to the American Heart Association at http://www.heart.org or the Hinsdale Humane Society at http://www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org.
Sullivan Family Funeral Home in Hinsdale handled the arrangements.
