More detail on this person: Joseph Clasby, Sr.,
"Clas", died on September 16, 2013 after a long
valiant battle with cancer at the age of 75. He is
survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Gay
Landrigan Clasby; his three children, Jenny
McClennan of Arlington, Virginia, Sue Clasby of
McLean, Virginia, John Clasby Jr. of Louisville,
Colorado, and their spouses, William McClennan,
Ed Buzzi, and Suzy Tegen. He was known as
"Papa" to his seven grandchildren: William,
Abigail, and James McClennan; Landrigan and
Veronica Buzzi; and Amelia and Kate Clasby. He
was born to Irene and Edward Clasby and his
siblings were David Clasby (deceased), Ann
Toomey, Arthur Clasby, Dorothy Demeke, Joan
Alcala (deceased), Irene Clasby and Helen Clasby.
Clas graduated from Lowell Institute at MIT in
Boston, Massachusetts. He was a Captain in the
U.S. Marine Corps, a pilot in the Vietnam War, and
received the Distinguished Flying Cross. The
actual helicopter he flew is displayed at the Air
& Space Museum near Dulles Airport, where he is
listed on the Wall of Honor. He was an airline
pilot for 30 years retiring as a Captain with U.S.
Airways. He played softball, basketball, and
participated in the Senior Olympics. Clas spent
many wonderful summers at the beach in
Matunuck, Rhode Island. He lived in Milton,
Massachusetts; Avon, Massachusetts; McLean,
Virginia; and most recently in Gainesville,
Virginia. Clas will be remembered for his
generosity of time and spirit, wonderful sense of
humor, love of God and country, and lifelong
devotion to family. Calling hours will be from 6
to 8 p.m., Monday, September 23 at the Murphy
Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd, Arlington,
Virginia. A Mass to celebrate his life will be
held Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic
Church,1910 N. Randolph St, Arlington, Virginia.
Clas regularly donated blood and platelets to the
American Red Cross and he would be honored by
contributions in his name.
Published in The Washington Post from September
21 to September 22, 2013
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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