Clifford B. Thomas

Scarborough – Clifford B. Thomas, 80, of Scarborough, passed away peacefully Thursday at home surrounded by his wife and four children following a brief but valiant struggle with cancer.  He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Bobbie L. (Joiner) Thomas, and four children, three daughters and one son.  They are Sherry L. Sargent of Scarborough, Donna L. Nelson of Hollis, Laurie K. Johnston of North Yarmouth and Clifford A. (Kip) Thomas, also of Scarborough; in addition to 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.  He will be sadly missed by all.

He was born in Milo, ME on July 10, 1933; the only child of the late Bernice C. & Vivian M. (Strout) Thomas.  He grew up in South Portland and graduated from South Portland High School in 1951.  It was during his next four years in the US Navy and while stationed in Jacksonville, Florida where he met the love of his life, Bobbie, from Pelham, GA.

Cliff spent many of his working years repairing office equipment, electronics and computers during the day.  He was self-taught in repairing TVs, and spent most evenings repairing the televisions of friends, family.  For a time his career included being the owner/operator of Music Mart, a store selling musical instruments, that he was later able to relocate to the Maine Mall.  Cliff was a hard-working family man who often worked three jobs. 

Cliff’s interests included hunting, playing baseball, and softball, and candlepin bowling.  He and his wife had belonged to a couples’ league and enjoyed bowling together.   He had a passion for building and flying model airplanes.  He and his “flying buddies” would get together whenever “the wind wasn’t blowing”.  He thoroughly enjoyed his time with these friends whether it be flying or getting together for coffee.  His love of flying even included getting his pilot’s license to fly small engine planes.  An avid New England sports fan, he watched or listened to every Red Sox game and watched golf with Bobbie by the hour.  Cliff loved being surrounded by animals, and could be counted on to bring home anything from a kitten to a Capuchin monkey, to an African Grey parrot.  He will be especially missed by his dog, Zoey.

His real love, though, was music.  He taught himself to play guitar and was a member of his uncle’s band, “The Reggie Strout Combo”.  Their group played on Saturday’s for weddings and every Saturday night at the Oak Ledge Lounge throughout the 60’s.  Cliff enjoyed picking up the guitar and playing right up until the end; he had most recently taken pleasure in helping a young neighbor with his playing.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 23rd at 2:00 pm at the Elm Street Methodist Church, 168 Elm Street, South Portland, where he was a member.

Please visit www.advantageportland.com to sign Cliff’s guestbook and leave condolences for the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Cliff’s name to:

Elm Street Methodist Church

168 Elm Street

South Portland, ME  04106

or

Hospice of Southern Maine

180 US Route One

Scarborough, ME  04074