John Lawrence CLIFFORD, age 88 of Fredericton, New Brunswick passed away peacefully May 14, 2019, at Pine Grove Nursing Home, Fredericton, N.B with his family at his side. Born in Dolbeau, PQ. John was a retired Staff Sergeant, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and was a member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.
Predeceased by his parents, James Clifford (Sterlingshire, Scotland) and Mary Irvine Stewart (Bathgate, Scotland), his wife Carol (nee Flynn) Clifford, his second wife Leitha (nee Turnbull) Dean and his sister Christina and her husband Robert Johnston.
He is survived by his son, James Clifford (Sharon) of St. John’s, NL and grandchildren Carol "Carly", Brian and Claire: his daughter Nancy Clifford-Arseneault (Maurice) and granddaughter, Laura, of Fredericton. John is also survived by Leitha’s children, John Dean (Susan), Cyndy (Sher), Peter (Karon) and Janet Trail (Jeff).
John was a Life Member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Veteran’s Association, New Brunswick Division. He also was a 1967 PAN-AMERICAN GAMES Silver Medalist (Centre Fire Pistol Shooting), 1967 Canada Winter Games Participant (Pistol Shooting), Official at the 1976 Olympiad (Pistol Shooting) former Ontario Provincial Record Holder Centre Fire Pistol Shooting and was recognized multiple times by the RCMP Commissioner for obtaining possible scores at the Annual Revolver Competition. John was an instrumental founder/builder of New Brunswick Handgun Association in the early 1970’s and represented N.B. on provincial handgun team numerous times.
After spending his formative years in his birthplace in the Lac-Saint-Jean area of Quebec, John moved to Toronto where he was engaged as a Regular Member of the RCMP in 1952. He served in Quebec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Alberta and New Brunswick, retiring at the rank of Staff Sergeant in 1977 as the "J" Division Traffic Supervisor. John became the Director of Inspections and Investigations at the Liquor Licencing Board, NB Department of Justice in Fredericton and held that position for 15 years before retiring to Fredericton.
Some of John’s fondest times were spent at the Washademoak Lake with his family, friends and long-time neighbours at the cottage he built with pride from the ground up to it’s 20’ peak.
As a loving father and grandfather, he took great pleasure in having Laura, Carly, Claire and Brian enjoy life at his cottage. John was a devout family man and took his family many places travelling and camping from coast to coast and to the USA. He coached schoolboy hockey in the 70’s, was an avid outdoorsman, making lots of "fish ‘n game" excursions with his good buddy Don Bilensky. John was a bit of an amateur arborist and known to be always interested in preserving trees and balancing growth and cultivation when harvesting his woodlot. He had many lifelong friends within the RCMP circle and his community.
John was held in high esteem by his peers, supervisors and subordinates in the RCMP. He was proud to be a member of the "J" Division Veteran’s Association and was always grateful for the camaraderie. In 2018 John was honored to be presented with his Generational Services Insignia by the "J" Division Sergeant Major marking two generations of RCMP members in his family.
John and Carol travelled whenever they had the opportunity, including destinations such as Barbados, Mexico, cruises and RV trips to Florida until Carol’s untimely passing in 1998. John’s travel interests resumed when he and Leitha met and became married. They cruised Alaska, travelled to Scotland, the Rocky Mountains, Newfoundland, multiple trips to Florida and made a return trip with Nancy and Jimmy to his childhood communities in the Lac St. Jean, PQ region. John always looked forward to seeing Ryan, Michael and Sophie at Leitha’s cottage at Grand Lake.
A very sincere message of gratitude goes to the very special home care workers including Nancy R, Rachel, Joanne, Lucie and many others while he was in his home and also to the administration and staff at Pine Grove Nursing Home for their loving care.
Resting at Bishop’s Funeral Home on the Woodstock Road, visitation will take place from 5pm to 8pm on Friday, May 17th. A funeral service will be held at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Charlotte Street on Saturday, May 18th. at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pine Grove Foundation. www.pinegrovefoundation.ca/donations., The Alzheimer’s Society of New Brunswick or the IWK. www.bishopsfuneralhome.com
