Moments after I received the tragic news of Cliff’s death, a photo of him popped up on my phone.  In it, he was sitting in his chair talking on the phone.  Call it coincidence or whatever you want to call it, but that would be so like him—to reach out and maybe make a little joke to make you feel better, to talk a little, to just catch up.  That moment is a comfort to me, however you want to describe it.

In some ways, Cliff was a minimalist:  the amount of food in the fridge, the number of shirts in the closet, the “stuff” of life had to be controlled.  “What do you want for your birthday/Christmas, Cliff?”  “Nothing.  I have everything I need.” But when it came to friends and family, there were no limits to his generous spirit and he was especially generous with his good-natured humor, his time, his love.  Cliff did have an exacting schedule (grass cutting at the top of it!), but that schedule was created so he would have time for the Buckeyes, the Reds, The Blue Jackets, and his friends, time for fun and the life he cherished with those he loved.  

When he was little, maybe four or five, he wanted to be a magician.  The next year that transfigured into his wanting to be Pope, no doubt a resuIt of his realization of his Catholic faith.  However, it wasn’t long before he wanted to design stadiums and began to “collect” the ones he visited, as he collected the memories of the games he attended that hung on his walls.  Fortunately, by the time he was at Miami, he envisioned a career where he could use his people skills—that natural affinity to meet people, to connect, to put them at ease, to make them laugh.  He was good at every job he held because he knew how to find common ground.  He mentioned to me that if there was one skill he could teach his little brother John, that would be the skill—connecting with people, and John learned well from a master.  At his 40th birthday, when some disgruntled neighbor had called the police about the noise (a band, a crowd of friends and neighbors milling around on his deck and in his yard, drinking, dancing, playing), it didn’t take five minutes for Cliff to appear in the back yard, arm flung across the shoulders of the policeman who had come to investigate, inviting him to join the party.

Cliff’s moral compass pointed due north.  His life was built on fidelity to his friends and his family, his faith, his country, his personal sense of honor, and over the last year, his health.  He made a perfect hockey ref because he was fair, he knew the game intimately, and he had played on enough teams with enough different players that he knew a violation when he saw one.  That’s how he lived his life, as a team player who knew the rules, who wanted to win, who knew when to pass and when to depend on himself.  He recognized joy as the key ingredient to life. He knew how to be a friend and held his friends sacred.  On his last birthday, he showed me a card his grandfather John Honaker had sent him before his death in ’83 that he had saved all those years and said, “Grandpa was my best friend.  Still is.”  If that is a Cliffy rule, that we can continue to love after death, that we can still be friends, I’ll hold up my end of the deal and continue to love him forever.—Aunt Sharon

I remember Cliff Jr when he played hocked with my son first with the Findlay Area Hockey Association and then with the Findlay Trojans. I remember how his dad would pick in up after school and drive him to Michigan to play hockey. Cliff SR. value those times. We are so sorry for your loss.

We will miss you Cliffy! Our hearts go out to all who loved you. May peace and live surround you now. With love, your cousin Aimee

Sorry to hear about Cliff Browne. Cliff was  a hard worker on the ice and a Team player.
He was always willing to help the Team  in any way. I am proud to have be able to coach him. Coach Root Findlay High School

Dear family and friends of Cliff,
Please know my prayers for all of you as you carry this heavy cross. I attended school with Cliff at St. Michaels and I remember him with a tender smile and a humble personality. I especially remember his love for hockey. Cliff was always so kind to me and for that I am grateful.  May the hand of Jesus gently wipe your tears in the days and months ahead.  And may the sweet memories you shared with Cliff bring you peace. 
Lynn (Wehrle) Taylor

Cliffy, you will always be remembered for your caring spirit and love of family.  Though distance kept family apart more than we liked, we hoped you knew that we loved your spunk and missed spending time with you. Now you can cheer on your Buckeyes, Blues, Blue Jackets and maybe even a few cheers for Clemson from the best seat in the house.  You will be missed.  Love you nephew.  

Aunt Mary and Uncle Bill

Love you my cousin, Cliffy. Rest in peace.

Loved spending time with you Cliff, the first time in Columbus; sharing your home with us was generous, indeed. We spent an evening at a local bar with Joanne - had a great time! Of course, your mom was the key instigator on that! The next time, you were just as generous, shared your home, shared your time. RIP Cliff - your friends were amazing, your generosity well beyond the norm.

Peaceful White Lilies Basket was purchased for the family of Cliff E. Browne, II.

Cliff was and always will be my little right winger,  who loved  to tell the story of our favorite play where he would go into the corner and dig the puck out and feed it to me high post.  He was always such a true and loyal friend for as long as I had the pleasure to know him.  I will miss every aspect of my friend and will keep his sweet memory alive as long as I live..   God speed my friend.  
Cliff Sr., you did everything right and I know you lost a part of your soul.  Thanks for everything and being such a great father to my friend.
Much Love,
Tom Roach

OBITUARY

Clifford Edward Browne

July 4, 1972 – August 21, 2021

Schoedinger Midtown

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