Thomas T. Clifford, 93, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2018, after a long and full life. Born in Fall River on December 31, 1924 to John P. Clifford, a firefighter who died in the line of duty in 1926, and Dorothy E. (Lafferty) Clifford, Tom started out as the youngest of five children and ultimately became the beloved patriarch of a large, multigenerational clan. During World War II, Tom went directly from BMC Durfee High School to the Pacific Theater, where he proudly served his country on the USS Stembel. He came home, went to work at the former Montaup Electric Company in Somerset, and met a girl named Margaret Clemmey one night while dancing in Island Park. Tom and Margaret married in 1953, had five children of their own, and – following Tom’s retirement as Montaup’s chief engineer in 1986- embarked on a whole new chapter of adventures together.Blessed with the gifts of humor and recollection, Tom always had a twinkle in his eye and a story on his lips. True to his nature as a New Year’s baby, Tom retained deep respect for history and bright anticipation of whatever was around the corner. He was a lifelong learner who enjoyed travel and reading and summers on the Cape, and he cheered on his favorite teams – especially his beloved Bruins – almost as enthusiastically as he had supported his children’s teams as a devoted dad. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family.
Tom is predeceased by his wife, Margaret M. (Clemmey) Clifford; his son, John P. Clifford; his sisters, Eileen M. O’Gara, Kathryn J. Garvey, and Margaret T. Clifford; his brother, John Clifford; and his son-in-law, David Borden. He is survived and sadly missed by his daughters, Rosemary Borden and Nancy Curtin; his sons, Thomas Clifford and his wife, Lynn, and William Clifford and his wife, Kelly; his grandchildren, Christopher Borden and his wife, Kay, Caryn Borden, Cheryl Borden, Kate Curtin, Deirdre Curtin, Brooke Clifford, Becca Clifford, Matthew Clifford and his wife, Alyssia, Meghann Clifford, Liam Clifford, Patrick Clifford, Tara Clifford, and Rileigh Clifford; his great-grandchildren, Malcolm, Matilda, Reagan, and Mason; many nieces and nephews; and countless friends.
Funeral from the O’Keefe-Wade Funeral Home, 70 Washington St., Taunton, MA 02780 on Friday, August 31st at 9am. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Nicholas of Myra Church in North Dighton at 10am. Relatives and friends are also invited to visiting hour on Thursday from 5-8pm. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery in Taunton.
In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Tom’s son -John P Clifford- can be made to THON- For The Kids Springfield Benefiting THON, 123 South Barnard Street, State College University Park, PA 16801 springfieldftk.org/donatenow