Americus Cleffi

Born in Newark, New Jersey, a son of the late Salvatore and Raffaella (Russamano) Cleffi, he had resided in Fairhaven and New Bedford for the past 43 years.

Mr. Cleffi was an English professor at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth until his retirement.

He was a graduate of Barringer High School in New Jersey and received his Master’s degree from the University of Missouri.

Cleffi was a creative and talented poet and photographer.

Surviving in addition to his wife are his children, David Cleffi of New Bedford, Maura Cleffi and her husband David Ryan of Chicago and Rico (Amerigo) Cleffi and his wife Hilary Goldstein of Brooklyn, NY; beloved granddaughter, Helen Ryan of Chicago; sister, Agnes Bologna and her husband Renato “Peter” of Newton, NJ; beloved niece, Jennifer Wilkie of Verona, NJ and nephews, Ronald and Kenneth Meluso of NJ. He was predeceased by brothers, Anthony and James “Vincent” Cleffi and a sister Josephine Cleffi.

The family is planning a private memorial service to be held in May or June. Anyone wishing to attend should contact [email protected] or 917-499-2690.