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| Joseph M. Clifford, Age 76 |
| Visitation Location: |
St. Benedict's Center Chapel, St.Cloud, MN |
| Visitation Date/Time: |
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM |
| Funeral Time: |
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at 12:30 PM |
| Funeral Location: |
St. Benedict's Center Chapel, St. Cloud, MN |
| Burial Location: |
Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls, MN |
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JOSEPH M. CLIFFORD, 76
St. Cloud
July 4, 1932 ~ July 25, 2008
Joseph Michael Clifford, age 76, St. Cloud, MN died Friday, July 25, 2008 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, St. Cloud, MN.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at 12:30 PM at St. Benedict’s Senior Community Chapel, St. Cloud, MN. Fr. Meinrad Dindorf will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the chapel on Wednesday. Burial will be in Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls, MN. Funeral arrangements were made by Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud, MN.
Joseph was born July 4, 1932 in Bismarck, ND to Joseph Lee and Marcia (Burke) Clifford. His father bought a small farm near St. Joseph when Joe was a young teenager. He always said those were the happiest years of his life, working along side his dad. Joe, his mother and four siblings had to move into St. CLoud when his father died suddenly when Joe was sixteen. He attended Cathedral High school and joined the Army in 1951. Joe trained as an Amphibious Engineer and spent time in the Philippines. He served 2 tours in Korea during some of the fiercest conflicts and was just recently awarded for injuries sustained during that time.
On February 8, 1958 Joseph married Mary C. Schmid at St. Thecla Church, Chicago, IL. His career in fine architectural woodwork started in Chicago, IL and then took him to Morristown, TN, Lexington, KY, Charlotte, NC and finally Lewisburg, WV. Joe was also a master sculptor. He always said he was fortunate, because his job was also his hobby. Joe also enjoyed listening to Irish music and often sang Irish ballads in his strong tenor voice. Upon retirement in 1995, Joe and Mary moved to St. Cloud to be near his mother and also were the original caretakers at Benet Place where they have lived since then. They were unable to retain the job because of poor health, but remained residents and Joe was active as a volunteer Eucharistic Minister at the nursing home, as well as setting up for Sunday Mass at Benet Place until recently when his health made it impossible to continue. When Joe became involved in making Rosaries, he made them by the hundreds. Many were sent to various missions and some were very fine gifts to special friends and loved ones. He donated his many fine woodworking and carving tools to St. John’s University and they in turn made the coffin in which he will be buried.
Joe is survived by his wife, Mary Catherine of St. Cloud, MN; son, Joseph Edward (Heba) Clifford of Charleston, SC; six grandchildren, April, Amanda, Brandon and Vanessa Clifford, Noha and Nada Tarek; sisters and brother, Sr. Kathleen Rickelman of Kankakee, IL; Colleen (Gerry) Donlin of Sauk Rapids, MN; James (Margot) Clifford of Louisiana; and many nieces and nephews. He will be sorely missed by many including his devoted little dog, Honey.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Margaret Mary Clifford.
In lieu of flowers, masses are preferred.
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