Francis Thomas Claffey, the Santa Clarita Valley's postmaster for more than two decades and an early member of the College of the Canyons Board of Trustees, has died. He was 89.

A U.S. Army veteran, Claffey served as postmaster in Newhall in the 1960s and then as postmaster of the consolidated Newhall and Saugus post offices for a combined 22 years.

He was elected to the COC board to fill the unexpired term of William G. Bonelli, a founding member who had died in office in 1972.

In retirement, Claffey lived in Lancaster where he died June 9, 2015.

Claffey was born July 11, 1925, in Alderly, Wis.

Predeceased by his wife, Lillian H. Claffey, he is survived by his children, Mark Claffey (Cindy), Paul Claffey, Daniel Claffey (Ella), Terese Solow (Bob), Jacquelyn Melendez (Robert), John Claffey and Kathleen McMullen (Thomas); brother Vincent Claffey and sisters Dolores Pendergast, Veronica Pendergast, Lorraine Schmidt; grandchildren James Allen, Kimberly, Aeric, Christina, Camellia, Kyle, Angela, Elizabeth, Thomas, Katie, Suzanne, David, Brighad, Cara Erin, Aiden; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held Friday, June 12, 2015, at noon at Good Shepherd Cemetery, 43121 70th St. West in Lancaster. The funeral home is Chapel of the Valley Mortuary in Palmdale.