Obituary of Paul Clifford

Paul Clifford LEOMINSTER, MA - Paul Clifford, husband, father, and grandfather, died on November 28, 2015, after a long illness. The beloved husband of Sally Harnum Clifford, married for 54 years, he was a resident of Leominster, MA, since 1972. Paul was born in Old Town, Maine, in 1934, graduating from Old Town High School in 1951 and the University of Maine at Orono in 1955 with a B.S. in mechanical engineering. In later years, he returned to the classroom to successfully complete a master's degree in mechanical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA, in 1979. An employee of General Electric for 40 years, primarily in Fitchburg, MA, he was named the Principal Noise and Vibration Engineer in 1991 and was the recipient of the Outstanding Technical Contribution Award. After holding several Principal Engineer positions working on various Navy programs for GE, and following successes including the awarding of engineering and design patents for the company, he retired in 1994. Paul was a faithful member of Holy Family Church where he was a CCD teacher, a lector, a Eucharistic Minister, and a member of the Knights of the Poor Farm men's group. He also was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. A Maine boy at heart, he loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing with his brother, James. His favorite pastimes included Bermuda vacations with his wife, bowling and softball leagues, his gardens, and cross country skiing with friends in New Hampshire. He is survived by Sally, who cared for him throughout his illness; his children, Stephen of Long Beach, California; Scott and his wife Katie of Franklin, MA; and Kristine Wilhelmy of Shrewsbury, MA. He treasured his five grandchildren: Kelsey and Erika Clifford, and Joseph, Jacob and Daniel Wilhelmy. He also leaves his sister Helen and her husband Bud Blumenstock of Orono, Maine; Alta and Walter Zinchuk of Franklin, MA; and James Clifford of Old Town, Maine, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents, Ida and Arthur, and brother, Valmore Clifford. Paul's family would like to thank the caring and compassionate staff on the third floor at the Highlands in Fitchburg, MA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:30 AM Saturday, December 5, 2015, at the Holy Family of Nazareth Catholic Church, 750 Union Street, Leominster, MA, All are welcome. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Brewer, ME. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paul's memory to the Lewy Body Dementia Assocation at lbda.org or by mail to LBDA, 912 Killian Hill Road S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047. Arrangements by Curly Marchand Funeral Home, Leominster, MA and Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, Brewer.