Clifford H. Hudson Jr.

Clifford H. Hudson Jr., age 87 of Monroe, passed away peacefully on May 21st in his home and returned to the kingdom of God and the loving arms of his wife of 48 years Beatrice V. Hudson who pre-deceased him.

Born on October 9, 1938, in Bridgeport to the late Clifford and Dorothy Hudson, he was a resident of Monroe for the past 57 years.

After attending Shelton High School Cliff enlisted in the US Navy and served proudly on the USS Rizzi and USS Intrepid. Cliff was a member of the USS Intrepid Museum Alumni Association. After his service to his country, he married his high school sweetheart Bea and settled in Monroe where they raised their family. While in Monroe, service to others was a cornerstone of Cliff’s character and he was a former firefighter, Captain, and life member of the Stepney Volunteer Fire Dept. Cliff relished the outdoors and passing down his knowledge to the next generation as a volunteer Indian Guides Chief and Scout Master for Troop 62 of the Boy Scouts of America. Service, loyalty and hard work were also virtues lived by.

Cliff worked for Sikorsky Aircraft for 33 years until his retirement in 1999. Cliff traveled to California, Alabama, Kentucky, and Florida assisting with Sikorsky programs and spent the last 17 years of his career working in the VH Presidential Executive Helicopter Transport program. Cliff always recounted that he retired from a job he loved. Continuing to serve others, Cliff and his wife were foster parents for over 20 years to 42 children in need.

Post retirement Cliff enjoyed tending to his garden and riding around on the backhoe planting trees, shrubs, and flower gardens on his property, while also taking care of the many animals that found their way to his home. Cliff enjoyed fishing for Blues on his friend Bob’s boat and enjoyed many hours on the sound with the boat crew, although not many fish joined them. Cliff was also an avid history buff who collected books, videos, and articles that he loved to share with family and friends.

Cliff had many names: Papa Cliff, Dad, Papi, Mr. H, or grandpa, each name rooted in the love from others and the value of family that meant so much to him. Cliff is survived by his sons, Clifford Hudson (Heather) of Waterbury, Eric Hudson (Kim) of Shelton, Brian Hudson (Donna) of Roseville Michigan, and daughter Deborah Contois (Michael) of Tolland, six grandchildren Richard, Jacob, and Christopher (Sammy) Hudson, Brian Jr and Amaretta Hudson, Nickole Contois, 2 great-grandchildren Christopher and Charlotte Hudson, brothers Randy, Robert, Donald, and Jack. Cliff was pre-deceased by grandchildren Katrina Hudson and Kevin Hudson as well as his dearest companion and travel partner of many years Marjorie Johnson.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, May 28, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home, 315 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, CT 06468. A funeral service will take place at the funeral home at 7 p.m., immediately followed by military honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Cliff’s name to the Shriners Pyramid Shrine No. 9 at zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/variable-payment or the ASPCA at aspca.org/ways-to-give