Obituary of Clifford Parker

Peacefully at Huronview Home, Clinton on Tuesday June 19, 2012, Clifford Gordon Parker of Clinton, Ontario. Clifford or Cliff as he was known was born at Kisbey Saskatchewan son of the late James Bennett Parker and Charlotte Melinda Gordon on April 15, 1915. The son of homesteaders his first love was to the land but loosing his father early in life and family moving to the west coast put his farming career on hold. He tried his hand at a number of jobs including assistant to a funeral director which worked out until he had to retrieve three of his friends. A smart mother sent him back to farming something he was cut out for. The timing was not in his favour for farming in Saskatchewan at the time, and for him was not very good. With the advice of a school teacher he applied for the Royal Canadian Air force. Times were so bad he had to borrow twenty-five dollars from his uncle to get to Regina. Placing his application he was ready to head home with only enough money to get by on there was no time to linger. It was then that he got the word that he was accepted and would be heading out the next day. So he was on his way to Trenton Ontario for training. The next posting sent him to Halifax and into the arms of his late wife Martha Flora Parker of McNab's Cove, Cape Breton. She had been working in Halifax at the time. It must have been love at first sight or as I was told she made the best sandwiches. A tip his uncle had given him when he left home; look for a girl who is older and a good cook. This advice came from a confirmed bachelor. Now the rest is history, from Halifax to Clinton in 1945, to Vancouver, Winnipeg, Moose Jaw and back to Clinton in 1955. The RCAF was only the beginning and after 35 years retiring was not in the cards. Clifford joined the Clinton Community Credit Union with his wealth of knowledge he stayed for the next twenty years. Still able to curl, garden and travel from coast to coast in Canada all while buying and selling houses. His gardening was always his love as if it were a section of land in Saskatchewan. Never afraid to try out a new crop whether it is asparagus or potatoes he gave it his all. He is the loving father of Gordon and Sandra of Georgetown and David of Clinton. He loved his grandchildren and will be sadly missed by David (Davey) and Dawn Parker of Clinton, Yvonne and Leon Bessie of London, Shannon and Michael DiRenzo of Georgetown, Sean and Darcy Parker of Burlington, Ryan and Bronwyn Parker of Milton. A great joy was all his great grandchildren, Alice, Parker and Sadie DiRenzo, Sydney and Brooklyn Parker, Brynn and Keely Parker, Monica, Michael and Amanda Bessie and Kerry and Michelle Parker. Clifford was the last of his family predeceased by one brother John (Ida) of Kamloops B.C., four sisters Irene Andersen (Andreas) N.B., Arvilla, Saskatchewan, Lulu Hugo (Mark) of Kamloops B.C., Olive Ferrero (Albert) of Ladysmith, B.C. Predeceased by one daughter-in-law, Claire Parker. Friends were received at the Falconer Funeral Homes Ltd., 153 High Street, Clinton Ontario, Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Parish prayers were held at the funeral home Sunday evening at 6:45 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Peter's Church, Goderich Monday June 25, 2012 at 11 am. Father Gary Ducharme will officiate assisted by Father John Pluta, and Father Paul Mooney. Interment Clinton Cemetery. Donations to the charity of one's choice would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.