Obituary of Arthur Charles Clifford
Arthur Charles Clifford, beloved husband of Ruth Humphries Clifford, resident of Trumbull, CT. for 37 years, died June 27, 2005. Mr. Clifford was the son of Arthur and Mabel Brough Clifford and was born in Buffalo, New York on April 26, 1922. A graduate of Warren Harding High School, he received Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Education degrees from Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois, where he participated in the University Chorus, Marching Band, and Concert Band. He studied at Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey, playing trumpet with the Brass Sextet and was a member of the Oratorio Choir, which presented Oratorios in the West End Presbyterian Church, New York City. He studied Organ under Frank B. Jordan, George L. Scott, and Miss Claire Coci. A U. S. Army veteran, he served in World War II for three years as a Chaplains assistant and was organist at Camp Mackall, North Carolina. While overseas, he was organist for the Seventh Army occupation area in Germany. The Chapeleers were part of the choir who sang at the funeral of General George S. Patton conducted in Heidelberg, Germany. A 60-year career as Organist-Choir Director took him to Wilson, N.C. to serve at St. Timothys Episcopal Church. In addition, he served locally at St. Pauls Episcopal Church and Olivet Congregational Church, Bridgeport, and Trinity Episcopal Church, Trumbull. He was a founding member of American Organist Guild, Bridgeport Chapter.
In addition to his wife of 56 years, he is survived by his children, James Telford Clifford and his wife Nancy and Mary Kathleen Clifford Deyo and her husband George, grandchildren, Charles Ryan Clifford, Eric Andrew Clifford, Phillip James Clifford, Heather Marie Deyo, sister Elizabeth Clifford Clark and her husband Sheldon and several nephews and a niece.
Friends are invited to attend funeral services Thursday, June 30, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Johns Episcopal Church, 768 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport with the Rev. Dr. William Shepard officiating. Interment will be private. Friends may call on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 from 6-8 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Visiting Nurse Service, 765 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604.