Obituary of John A. Clifford

John A. Clifford, a retired manager of Middletown Unemployment Insurance, Department of Labor office in Middletown and resident of the area passed away Thursday November 20, 2014 at home with his family by his side. He was 89. The son of the late John E. and Mary Kowalski Clifford, he was born August 3, 1925 in Brooklyn, NY. He married his beloved wife Ruth E. Newberg Clifford on September 6, 1947 in St. Agatha's Church in Brooklyn, NY who predeceased him in 2013. John was a graduate of NY Insurance Institute, he attended Orange County Community College, specializing in liability, medical jurisprudence, casualty, workmen's compensation & disability Insurance. His memberships include: St. Jerome RC Church in Largo, FL; He was on the original Committee to establish and was a founding member of the Bloomingburg Grove, NY Volunteer Ambulance Corp. He served for over 25 years as President, Vice-President and Recording Secretary for Monell Engine Co. in Washingtonville, NY; He served on the Board of Directors and as President of Lions International in Washingtonville, NY; he served on the Blooming Grove Planning Board; the Knights of Columbus in Brooklyn, NY; Washingtonville, NY- Our Lady of Lourdes Council # 5890 and Largo, FL Knights of Columbus Council # 4892; as well as a member of "SPARKS" S. Pinellas County Florida Aeronautical Radio Control Society and AMA- American Model Association. He leaves behind his loving family: his children: Christine Stewart and her husband Douglas of Arlington, VA; Diane Sammarco and her husband Dino of Leesburg, VA; Tricia Duke and her husband Craig of Middletown, NY and John R. Clifford and his wife Tina of Ocala, FL. His grandchildren: Matthew; Courtney; Jonathan; Dino; Kyle; Christina and Daniel. His seven great grandchildren: William; James; Margaret; Avery; Madeline; Caleb and Brody. He is further survived by a cousin: Mary Cassidy; his brother-in-law: Al Newberg; his friend: Eileen Cain. He was predeceased by his granddaughter Meghan E. Stewart and his friend he considered a brother Frank Cain. Our family would like to give their heartfelt thanks to so many. Everyone has been so kind to Dad. We would especially like to thank Selsa for all the kindness and love she showed Dad; his care was impeccable and your presence in our family is priceless-we will be forever grateful. To Dr. Sophia Lee, Dad loved you, you gave of yourself and you are an asset to your profession; always kind, compassionate and loving to your patients. Our respect for you is endless. To Dr. Jim Oxley, another hero in our eyes, the phone rang and you were always there checking on Dad and making him smile. Father Dennis, you were always a phone call away and gave him so much comfort, as well as Deacon Trapani and Mary Stevens, making sure that Dad continued his religious life that was so important to him-Mary, you not only comforted Dad, it extended throughout our family. There are not enough words to thank Selsa, Donna McNally, Kristen, Shanea, Barbara, Allysa, Faith, Jackie, Office of the Aging, Ann Marie, Maureen, Danielle and Jamie-You all do what you do for all the right reasons and you are the best at what you do. Thank you Angel for always coming to cut Dad's hair. Thank you ORMC emergency room and Physical Therapy Dept.- You all were so respectful and treated Dad with dignity. Dad loved life, everyone loved his blue eyes and smile. Mom was the love of his life, they are dancing again to their song "As time goes by." He loved his family, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Happiness was easy for Dad such as going through the fields to cut down our Christmas trees to building model airplanes, to chasing the cows back to the field next to our house…he loved it all. Dad was a constant prankster and joke teller, he will live in our hearts forever and we will never forget all that he taught us. Visitation will be held from 3-7 PM on Sunday November 23, 2014 at Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc. 72 West Main Street Middletown, NY. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 AM on Monday November 24, 2014 at St. Joseph RC Church in Middletown, NY. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Washingtonville, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to ORMC Foundation for the new pediatric Center 707 East Main Street Middletown, NY 10940 or John S. Burke Catholic School John and Ruth Clifford Scholarship Fund 80 Fletcher Street Goshen, NY 10924.