In 1886, brothers Simon Clavin, who owned a livery business of horse drawn carriages and Michael Clavin, who owned an undertaking business, formed Michael Clavin Undertakers at 143 Huntington Street in South Brooklyn, New York. In 1911, the business moved to 496 Court Street across from Saint Mary Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church. On July 6, 1911, Simon died and on the same day his son, Joseph P., received his embalmers license from the State Board of Regents. Joseph worked with his sisters Margaret, also a licensed undertaker, Julia and Mamie who served as the business's bookkeepers for the business. married Della Fahey in 1914 and together they had six children: Michael, Mary, James, Joseph, Thomas and Margaret. In 1925, Joseph and his family moved to 7722 Fourth Avenue in the Bay Ridge area of Brooklyn, bordering the parishes of Our Lady of Angels and Saint Anselm. The building was purchased from the Thomas Dongan Council of The Knights of Columbus (Number 1251) and used as the family's private residence until the early 1940's when it was converted to a funeral home. On December 31, 1933, Michael Clavin died and the business became known as Joseph P. Clavin was killed in action at the Battle of the Bulge at the age of 29, 7722 Fourth Avenue was designated the Michael E. Clavin Post #1408 of the American Legion. Michael Clavin was also the recipient of the Silver Star Citation. After the death of Joseph P. in 1951, the third generation of the Clavin family, James, Joseph and Thomas carried on with the business at both 496 Court Street and 7722 Fourth Avenue. On August 27, 1976, Thomas died at the age of 51 and 496 Court Street was closed. retired three years later and James R. passed away at the age of 62 on November 23, 1981. Joseph passed away on November 9, 2007. Today the business is presently owned and operated by J. Peter Clavin. (son of James R.) Working with his son Matthew E. Clavin and Stephen A. Clavin, they represent the fourth and fifth generations of the Clavin family carrying on a great tradition of service that has spanned over 130 years.
