Clifford Cherry

If we had to choose a single word to describe Cliff, it would be steadfast. He was unwavering in his loyalty and love for his family, his friends, and his faith. He lived his life with a rare integrity, choosing honesty always, and loving others even when it was not an easy thing to do.

Born in the 1950s, Cliff grew up in Toronto. He married his lovely wife in the 1970s, and in the ensuing years had 3 children and 3 grandchildren. In later years, he migrated with his family to British Columbia where he spent the last decade of his life enjoying only having to shovel snow once a year or less. He would gleefully send photos of dandelions in February to his ice-encrusted pals back east.

Cliff loved to make others laugh. He was known for his ability to spin lengthy puns and could create an absurd nickname out of nearly any name, to the horror of many a new parent. He was making his family laugh up to the day he left them.

Cliff was a simple man in some ways. Neatly lined with identical blue shirts and similar dark pants, his closet was the diametric opposite to that of his wife's. Some believed that he had only one shirt and one pair of pants as he dressed nearly the same every day.

His drink of choice was beer, and he had the collection to prove it. At one point, he had a collection of bottles and cans in his garage that entirely covered the walls, the ceiling, and the backs of the roll-up doors. He delighted in discovering new beers, and to gift him one he had never seen before was always a great challenge.

He loved God's creation and you could find him outside for almost every sunset, capturing it on his camera. He greatly enjoyed taking a dip in the many freshwater lakes of Ontario, often aiming to be the first and last one of his family in the water every year, even as there was still snow on the ground. Hiking in the fall leaves was another favourite pastime.

He loved a roaring fire and friends to sit around it. He was very hospitable and caring and had a blast baking and cooking for his family and friends. He was famed for his chocolate chip cookies, his pecan pie, and his heavily laden after-dinner tray of liqueurs. He would show up at nearly anyone's door with a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies if he heard they had a birthday, a funeral or anything in between.

He lived humbly but loved well. He never turned anyone away and was a steady listening friend to many a soul on the fringes. He had experienced enough pain in his life to compel him to never be the source of hurt for others.

Cliff got up like clockwork early each day for his morning walk before beginning his work for the day. He took his work seriously, aiming always to be honest and fair with everyone he encountered. He was so very careful in the choices he made and how he treated others.

He lived his life in service to others, and many a time one would find their car magically fixed or cupboard door quietly repaired. Maybe a new appliance would be sitting outside your door after he heard that you had fried the last one (true story). He gave even when he had very little, and he never expected or wanted recognition for any of it.

His passing leaves his family with a deep sorrow and an awareness of shoes that can never be filled in such a way again. It is a comfort to know that he is now at rest, at peace, and in his own chosen words, "safe in the arms of Jesus".