Charles MacIntosh Cliffe

Chuck was born in Youngstown, Ohio, on September 9, 1930 to Dr. Earle Wayne Cliffe and Ida (MacIntosh) Cliffe. On July 24, 1954, he married Anne (Kingsmore) Cliffe, who preceded him in death in 2011, after nearly 57 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Earle Wayne Cliffe, Jr. He is survived by his three children Barbara (Eric) Cliffe–Miller of Hudsonville, MI, Charles MacIntosh (Holly) Cliffe II of St. Paul, MN, and David (Renee) Cliffe of Milford, OH; six grandchildren Paddy Lynne (Ben) Van Ek, David (Christine) Steinmetz, Sean (Lauren) Miller, Anna (JC) Blaisdell, Samuel (Jacqui) Cliffe, and Elijah Cliffe; and six great-grandchildren. Chuck was a proud, supportive patriarch and set a good example for his grateful offspring. He will be sorely missed but fondly remembered.

Chuck grew up in intercity Youngstown, Ohio, also known as “Little Chicago” during the Great Depression, and graduated from The Rayen School in 1948. By the time he was 21 years old, he had lost both of his parents, but he had met his beloved Anne. Following his military service in the Army during the Korean Conflict, he graduated with his bachelor’s degree from Heidelberg College, his master’s degree in business from The Ohio State University, and his postgraduate degree in hospital administration from Washington University in St. Louis, MO. After a short stint with St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown, he served as a hospital administrator with hospitals in Cincinnati, Fostoria, Toledo, and, finally, Defiance, Ohio. In 1978, he left the stresses of hospital administration and opened Dad’s Donuts in Defiance, which served as both his vocation and his avocation, until 1990. Former customers still speak enthusiastically about the tasty “uglies” donuts that he served. He never knew a stranger.

Possessed of a broad smile, a booming voice, and an even larger, outgoing personality, Chuck was very active in the communities in which he lived. An Eagle Scout himself, he actively supported the local Boy Scout Shawnee (now Black Swamp) Council. In addition, he was very active in the local United Way, the Defiance Rotary Club, the Defiance County Republican Party, and the Defiance Athletic Boosters. A lifelong Presbyterian, Chuck served several terms as elder of First Presbyterian Church, Defiance. He was also very proud of his successful efforts in the late '80s to oppose the proposed elimination of Kingsbury Pool. Even after his health challenges necessitated his relocation from Defiance, he retained a keen interest in local happenings. An avid sports fan, he bravely rooted for his Buckeyes, despite often living in Wolverine territory. He maintained an active lifestyle at the Defiance YMCA and participated in Rock Steady Boxing classes into his 90th year, quitting only when the pandemic forced him to quit.

Visiting hours and a celebration of life will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Defiance, Ohio, on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Interment will be at a later date at Belmont Park Cemetery, Youngstown, Ohio. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in their guestbook online.