Aaron P. Claffey

Aaron Paul Claffey, 49, of Plattsburgh, New York, passed away unexpectedly in the early morning hours of February 18, 2026.

Aaron was born on October 4, 1976, in Sodus, New York, to his loving mother, Linda Dafoe, and biological father, Patrick Claffey. 

He reconnected with his biological father later in life. The man who raised him throughout his life and whom he knew as his father was Roger Dafoe. Aaron especially loved his mother Linda’s homemade peanut butter cookies, late night card games, Akwesasne Mohawk casino resort, and countless others good times spent with his mother. He cherished every moment spent with her.

From the very beginning, Aaron was a fighter. Born prematurely at just 2.3 pounds and not expected to walk, he defied every odd placed before him. Despite difficult challenges, he grew into a strong, hardworking man who built a life centered around love, resilience, and helping others.

Aaron was the beloved husband of Nicole Lynn Claffey (Moquin), whom he met on a blind date in 1996. From that day forward, they were inseparable, building a love story that many admired and that remains an inspiration. He was a devoted father to his daughters, Kayleigh  and Leah Claffey, who were the center of his world, and a proud father-in-law to Landon Faubert, whom he cherished getting to know over the past five years.

He is also survived by his loving mother, Linda Dafoe; his full brother, Patrick Claffey; and his half-brothers, Alan, Nathan, Skip, Spencer, and Jeremy, all of whom he was deeply proud of.

Aaron had a deep love for his family, including his cherished dogs Jack and Buster, and his two grand pups, Theodore and Luka, who brought him so much happiness.

He also shared a special bond with his in-laws, Raoul and Diane Moquin. He loved helping his father-in-law with projects and shared a passion for music with him. His mother-in-law always made sure he was well fed, often to the point where he would fall asleep on their couch, full and content. It brings comfort to know they are together again, and that she is still taking care of him.

Aaron began his career in construction, building his own company, APC Renovations, from the ground up. During this time, he also gave back by teaching the construction trade through the Solid Foundations program, helping others learn valuable skills and build their futures. He later transitioned to a career with NYSDOCCS, serving as a corrections officer at Clinton Correctional Facility. He stood proudly alongside his fellow officers, including during the strike where he stood the line.

After this chapter, Aaron returned to his true passion – construction. He reinstated APC Renovations and continued subcontracting through Lowe’s and most recently with Bruce Building, once again doing what he loved most: building, creating, and helping others. Aaron found joy in life’s simple pleasures. He loved hunting on his dear friend Clark’s land, where he built a tree stand and would sometimes fall asleep in it; it was his peaceful place. He also loved fishing, hot rods, and had a special passion for Ford trucks, proudly owning many over the years.

He shared a special brotherhood with his close friend, affectionately known to him as “Sparky Marky.” Mark helped Aaron work on restoring his beloved 1974 Mercury Comet, “Halley,” named after Halley’s Comet, as well as countless construction projects. Aaron also helped Mark get back on his feet, guiding him into stable employment and helping secure a safe home for him and his boys. Aaron proudly brought “Halley” to car shows, and in his honor, his family will continue that tradition. His daughter Kayleigh will carry on his vision and finish the Mercury Comet exactly as he planned. Aaron helped many others in a similar way, hosting almost all family members at one point to live with the family as long as they needed to get back on their feet.

Recently, Aaron and his family moved into their new home – a place he was incredibly proud of and had big dreams for. Though he did not get the time to fully enjoy it, he envisioned building a greenhouse in the backyard for his daughters and creating an outdoor grilling and bar area where he could host friends and family. He was known for cooking his unique venison creations – no matter how unusual they sounded, everyone always came back for more. His dream home was not just about the land or the garage, but about the memories he planned to build there with the people he loved most.

Above all, Aaron will be remembered for his strength, selflessness, and the love he gave so freely. Anyone who knew him knew he would never turn away someone in need – that was simply who he was.

A celebration of Aaron’s life will be held at his home, the place where his dreams for the future were just beginning.

He will be deeply missed beyond words