Curtis J. Darcy; City Councilwoman’s Husband

Curtis J. Darcy, a Santa Clarita civic activist and husband of Santa Clarita City Councilwoman Jo Anne Darcy, has died at his Saugus residence. He was 68.

Darcy died Thursday of heart failure, his wife said.

Born Dec. 22, 1922, in San Francisco, Darcy worked for the New York City transportation department before returning to California in 1945. He began work in 1950 as a driver and salesman for Anheuser-Busch Inc. until suffering a heart attack in 1965.

While living in Acton in the late 1960s and early 1970s, he and his wife operated the 49’er Restaurant & Tavern. Darcy served as president of the Acton Chamber of Commerce in 1971 and was active with the Future Farmers of America, 4-H Club and Boys Scouts.

The family later moved to Newhall where he became active in several organizations including the Santa Clarita Valley Committee on Aging and the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center. He was a former director of the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society and the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, and helped refurbish the chamber’s former headquarters in Newhall. Darcy was a 25-year member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 2393 and was active in the Newhall Optimist Club.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, who was elected to Santa Clarita’s first City Council in 1987; sons Richard Darcy of Castaic, Gary Darcy of Palmdale and Darrell Darcy of Lancaster; daughter Joleen Darcy of Saugus; brother Thomas Darcy of Irvine; sister Frances Bohen of Banning; and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned for 2 p.m. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church, 24317 Newhall Ave., Newhall, followed by a reception at 3 p.m. at the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center, 22900 Market St. Eternal Valley Mortuary in Newhall is handling the arrangements.

Donations can be made in Darcy’s name to the Santa Clarita Valley Committee on Aging, 22900 Market St., Newhall, Calif., 91321, or the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society, P.O. Box 875, Newhall, 91322.