Dr John Anthony (Tony) Claffey

Sincere sympathy to Tony's sister Anna and to Ethel, Miriam, Justin and Damien and to the extended Claffey and Quigley families.
Having known and admired Tony for over fifty years I was saddened to hear of his passing. We exchanged a number of phone calls last year when he was busy finishing his history of Tuam. His publications were always meticulously researched and written with great style and clarity. They will stand as a lasting testimony to a scholar and a gentleman. I was so sorry to have missed his funeral. R.I.P. Tony.

Our deepest condolences to the Claffey family on the loss of Tony.
May he rest in peace

Sincere sympathies to Miriam, Justin, Ethel, Damien and to my Godmother Anna on the passing of a true gentleman. May you rest in peace Tony.

Sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Tony at this sad time, may his gentle soul now rest in peace.

Rest in peace Tony - you were such a great friend to my parents over the years, and I’m honoured to be able to count you as a friend too. Going to miss our great conversations, and the pleasure of hearing you share your remarkable store of knowledge. Condolences to your family and many, many friends from all walks of life.

Sincere condolences to the Claffey family on the loss of Tony. Fondly remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Sincere sympathy to the family, relatives and friends of the late Tony. He was a real gentleman and was a fund of knowledge on all matters relating to History and Heritage. He came to see our Heritage Area at Templetogher, Williamstown. I met him occasionally in the Ard-Rí Hotel. Rest in Peace, Tony.

Sincere condolences to the Claffey family. As a past pupil of Tuam CBS, I remember Tony's passion for history and his good natured, personable teaching style. May he rest in peace.

Sincere condolences to Miriam, Justin, Ethel, Damien and all the Claffey family on the sad passing of Tony. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. May he rest in peace.

Sincere condolences to the Claffey family on your sad loss. Tony was a wonderful teacher hugely respected and a gentleman who contributed so much to Tuam CBS and to the town of Tuam. May he rest in peace .

Deepest sympathy to the Claffey family on the sad passing of your uncle Tony. May he rest in peace,

Sincere sympathy to Justin Damien and all the claffey family on the passing of Tony may he rest in peace

As a member of Tony's extended family I would like to sincerely thank his friends in Tuam who looked out for him especially in the last few years. The lovely tributes paid to him here are a testament to the beautiful man he was and we all loved. It is a great source of solace to know that he had such great friends and neighbours who cared so much for him. Go raibh maith agaibh go leir

Deepest sympathy to all the Claffey family and to Peter and Mary on the sad passing of Dr Tony may he rest in peace

Sincere condolences to Anna, Miriam, Ethel, Justin & Damien and to the extended Claffey Family on the sad passing of Tony. May he rest in peace in the arms of Jesus.

Sincere sympathy to the claffey family on the passing of tony

May he rest in peace

Deepest Sympathy to Justin and all the Claffey Family on the sad passing of Dr John Anthony (Tony) Claffey. Thinking of you all at this sad time.

Tony was a lovely man and a valued friend to our father T.P. O'Neill and our family. Condolences to all who loved him. May he rest in peace.

Our most sincere sympathy to the Claffey family on the death of your beloved brother and uncle, Tony... may he rest in eternal peace.

Deepest sympathy to all the Claffey family on the passing of Tony.
He was a good and kind teacher in the CBS and a great friend to my mother and father through the Old Tuam Society.

Deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Tony.
May he rest in peace.

Deepest condolences to Tony's family and friends on his sad loss. A gentleman and a fantastic scholar. May he rest in peace.

My deepest sympathy to the Claffey family and to Tony's many friends on the death of Tony.
He was a gentleman who carried his profound learning lightly.
May he rest in peace.

Deepest Condolence to the Claffey family on the sad passing of your uncle Tony. May he Rest in Peace.

Sincere sympathy to the Claffey family on the death of Tony.

Deepest condolences to Tony's family and friends. Very fond memories of working with Tony on the Irish Historic Towns Atlas of Tuam. His deep knowledge and love for Tuam came together on the pages of the Atlas and it was a great privilege to work with him on it. The launch on a sunny day in Tuam was a very memorable event for all of us involved on the Atlas with Tony.

I will miss you Tony

May he rest in peace, a pure gentleman. He taught me in Tuam CBS in the 1960's.

My deepest sympathy to you all at this sad time

Sad to hear of the passing of Tony

He was a wonderful piece of humanity,educator and friend to all who had the pleasure of being taught by him,including the class of 69.He was a fear lèinn not a fear laidir.

He always turned up to our get to gethers.It was poignant indeed that he turned up to our last get together in September 2024

I had the good fortune of having a great chat with him and.at the the Tionóil Ghaeltachta organised by Conradh na Gaeilge from time to time

Tony was ildánach

His contribution to history,local history and the history of Tuam was immense and it was great to hear that his latest tome is now with the printers

It can be said in truth in this regard that exegiit monumentum aere perennius

Aireoidh uainn e go mor mar ni bheidh a leitheid aris ann

It was with great sadness that we heard of the Passing of Tony. A scholar and a gentleman through and through. He had a profound impact and influence on us and all who knew him.

Sincere condolences to the Claffey Family. May he rest in peace.
Arthur Connern

Saddened by the news of Tony’s death. The phrase ‘a scholar and a gentleman’ might have been coined with Tony in mind. Scoláire cumasach agus fear uasal go smior. Trócaire ar a anam.

Sincere sympathies to the Claffey Family on the sad passing of Tony (Dr John Anthony) he was my history teacher CBS leaving 1968, a wonderful, kind, helpful , passionate, gentleman in every since of the word, will be missed by his family and all that knew him, may his gentle soul rest in peace.

Sincere sympathy to Anna and all the Claffey family on your loss.

Condolences to The Claffey Family on the passing of Tony. He was always a gentleman. RIP Tony

Sincere sympath to the Claffey family on the sad passing of Tony. May he rest in peace.

My sincere sympathy to Anna and extended Claffey family on the passing of Tony. May he rest in peace.

It was with great sadness that i heard of the passing of Dr. Tony claffey. It was forty two years ago when i first got to know Tony. Has a quiet shy country boy i started my secondary school education in tuam cbs. I was lucky and blessed to have Tony has my history teacher. It was tony that got me out off my shell he used to get me to write our homework up in the blackboard. To do this in front of a full classroom gave me great confidence and self belief which i thanked tony for giving me this opportunity some years later when i would meet from time to time around the town that he loved so much and it's people..it was a privilege and a honour to have been a pupil off this gret teacher. A man off high intellect a gaelic scholar and a renowed historian of the highest degree. Above all tony was a gentleman to his finger tips. Its time tony to say good bye for now you will be sadly missed by all who knew you but you a have left a huge legacy with your vast knowledge off history. If we had more teachers like you Ireland and society would be all better and we all be the better for having you in our lifes. Tony a life well lived and your vocation and dedication to teaching profession will be your true legacy. I want to offer my deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolence to Tony's famiy and many friends may Tony's kind and gentle soul rest eternal peace.

Sincere condolences to Tony's sister Anna, nieces, Miriam and Ethel, nephews Justin and Damien and the extended Claffey family. Tony always spoke lovingly about all of you and was so appreciative of your care and love.

Tony impacted the lives of so many people in so many different ways. The impact Tony had on his students and work colleagues was outstanding. Integrity, honesty and generosity of time and spirit were the values always modelled by him. As an educator Tony was truly ahead of his time!

Fond memories of attending courses with Tony, listening to his abounding knowledge which was always interspersed with humour.

His annual post Christmas visit was always a special occasion. His company and conversation was thoroughly enjoyable. From town twinning to steam trains to his boat on the shannon to his latest academic research - no night was ever long enough for a full catch-up.

Tony had a special gift of academic brilliance combined with an ability to share his knowledge with everyone in an engaging and simple manner.

May you Rest in Peace Tony and enjoy your eternal reward 🙏.

Bernard & Dolores Keeley,

Deepest sympathies to Tony's family on his passing. He will be a huge loss to his friends and the entire town of Tuam.

Sincere sympathy to Anna and all the Claffey family May Tony rest in peace

Dr Tony Claffey was a legend to us secondary school goers in the mid 70’s.
He remained a learned presence ever since, often strolling in the Capability Brown-designed Palace Grounds, the historical significance of which he savoured.
May he rest in heaven.

Sincere condolences to Anna, Ethel, Justin, Damien & the extended Claffey family on the passing of their beloved Tony. An inspirational teacher & mentor during my time at CBS. Attended our 50th year reunion last October & was warmly embraced & acknowledged by all on the night. Forever a gentleman. May he RIP

Sincere sympathy to Tony’s family n friends on his passing. A true gentleman loved to see him coming to daycare n loved listening to his stories. May he Rest in Peace.

Rest in peace DrTony..it was a privilege to know you.

Sincere sympathy to all the Claffey Family on the passing of Tony,May he rest in peace.

Deepest sympathy to Tony's family and friends on his sad passing.RIP. Have wonderful memoriesof our time together when sharing digs in Canavan's Hotel in early 60's. Tony was one of nature's gentlemen ,an outstandinghistorian,kind ,always in good humour and a lifelong friend. The bed if Heaven to you Tony.

Deepest sympathy to Anna, Miriam, Justin, Ethel and Damien. Tony was a wonderful man with his warm smile and gentle voice. I have many great memories from Fardrum and Killogenehan. May Tony Rest in Peace.

Heartfelt condolences to Anna,extended family, colleagues and friends on the death of our beloved Tony.
A national treasure, remarkable gentleman and much loved teacher.
Dr Tony Claffey
has left a monument more lasting than bronze in making his academic research and learning available and accessible to history students and the general public.
As a great champion of local and ecclestical history, his life's work will live on for generations to come. In the words of the prophet Isaiah 'WIth joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation' including the holy wells of Ireland. Rest in peace with saints and scholars of Monastic Ireland.

Deepest sympathy to Anna and the Claffey family on the very sad passing of Tony. We have many fond memories of times spent with Tony on Lough Ree and the famous trip down the Shannon and up to the Arran Islands on his sailing boat.
May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Our sincere condolences to Tony's family . We worked together many years ago on the Mill Museum. A gentleman and great company. Rest in Peace.

Many moons ago I sought your advice Dr Claffey. You were patient in your listening and wise in your council.
Rest in Peace.
My heartfelt sympathy to all the Claffey family.

Condolences to the Claffey family.
A class act.
Rest in peace Mr. Claffey.

Deepest sympathy to Anna, Miriam,Justin,Ethel and Damien on the death of Tony. May he Rest In Peace.

So sorry to hear of Tony’s passing.
Always very pleasant and interesting .I never heard him raise his voice.Loved his classes.A man well ahead of his time.

A great teacher
And life long friend to many and to the City Of Tuam
A later day gaelic scholar
His friends included Danes and Germans.
A life of great service and contribution

So sad to hear of Tony's death. He will be long remembered and appreciated by the CBS and Tuam town.

Dr Claffey was a very inspirational teacher who taught strong lifetime values. He both taught and lived Civics in an authentic way.

My sympathies to his families and friends.

Sincere condolences to the Claffey family on their sad loss . Dr. Tony R.I.P.was an inspirational teacher and gentleman who contributed so much to Tuam CBS and to the town of Tuam . May he rest in peace .

Rest in peace Tony, a man full of knowledge with a calm presence. Your thorough research will continue to inspire local historians in their quest for knowledge. It has been a privilege to have met you .Sympathy to your family and friends.

Sincere sympathy to Anna, Miriam, Justin, Ethel, Damien and all the Claffey family on the death of Tony. Tony was a pure gentleman may he rest in peace.