“May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.”
An Irish Blessing.
John (Jack) Francis Clabby II, born on December 23, 1928 to Walter and Helen (Bundy) Clabby from Norwich, Connecticut passed away at home April 14, 2014. He attended Norwich Free Academy, served in the US Army during WWII and became a dedicated lineman for C.L.&P. for forty years. After marrying Patricia O’Neil (previously deceased in 1995) at St. Peter and Paul’s in Norwich in 1951, Jack and Patty moved to River Road in Mystic to start a family.
Jack was a lover of outdoor sports. He enjoyed fishing, boating, playing ball, golfing, and always appreciated a good barbecue. He was very grateful to be able to spend his entire life near the water. Jack often said that he and the river were one.
Jack and Pat were founding and passionate members of The Mystic Pilgrim’s prayer group. He was also a member of The Portuguese Holy Ghost Society and the Knights of Columbus.
He is predeceased by his only sibling, brother Bill Clabby of Maryland. He is survived by sister-in-laws Marion (Sis) O’Neil of Bozrah, Barbara Caruso and husband Jim of Georgia, brother-in-laws Tom O’Neil and wife Shirley of Waterford, Skip O’Neil and wife Rae of Bozrah.
The spirit of Jack lives on through his eight children, Catherine McQuarrie and husband Tom of Waterford, Reverend Colleen Clabby of Mystic, Constance Clabby and wife Pam Laramie of Niantic, Cynthia Battista and husband Ronnie of Noank, Caryn Christianson and husband Robert of Las Vegas, John Clabby and wife Julie of Georgia, Clare Rogers and husband Paul of Mystic, and Jim Clabby and wife Marilee of Groton.
Jack was very proud of his nine grandchildren, Kristine, Greg ,Corinne, Stephene, Mitch, Josh, Margo, Abby, and Megan and ten great-grandchildren.
All who have known him enjoyed his enthusiasm for crossword puzzles and his generosity of spirit.
His family will greet relatives and friends on Friday, April 18, 2014 from 4 to 7pm at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Mystic. A Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, April 19, at 9am, followed by burial in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Norwich.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Avalonia Land Conservancy, P.O. Box 49, Old Mystic CT 06372.
To share a message of remembrance or condolence with his family, please click the link below.