Stephen B. Clifford

Stephen B. Clifford, formerly of West Yarmouth, MA and Naples, FL passed away peacefully on October 15, 2023, at Parkland Hospital in Derry, NH.

Stephen was born in Rutland, VT on January 28, 1933, to John M. and Ethel (LeClair) Clifford.  He attended St. Peter School and Mount Saint Joseph Academy, graduating with the class of 1950.

He was a member of the Army National Guard and was called to active duty in July, 1950 at the beginning of the Korean War. He trained at the 43rd Infantry Division in Virginia and was deployed to Germany. He returned to Vermont in May, 1952 when his artillery unit was deactivated.  Upon reactivation in 1954, he rejoined his former artillery unit, the 206th Field Artillery Battalion, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant.

In December, 1952 Stephen met his wife to be, Josephine Witham and knew immediately that theirs would be a life-long relationship. They were married on September 26, 1953 at St. Bridget’s Church in West Rutland, VT.  Stephen and Josephine welcomed two daughters: Laura Susmann of Dublin, NH and Mary Clifford Hulbert of Manchester, NH.

Stephen worked for the Vermont State Police as a radio dispatcher in Bellows Falls and Rutland, VT.  He began his business career with Universal CIT Credit Corp. in Rutland, moving to Springfield, MA and then Pittsfield, MA. Stephen’s career in credit management included managerial and regional marketing roles at Ford Motor Credit Corp. and Chrysler Financial Corp. where he retired after 27 years.

Stephen and Josie were avid tennis players for nearly 40 years. He was President and charter member of the Franklin, MA Tennis Club and Board Member of the South Yarmouth, MA Tennis Club. They loved to travel and were able to see many of our country’s natural wonders.  Stephen and Josie split their time between Cape Cod and Naples, FL enjoying lifelong friendships in both places.

Stephen and Josie were Eucharistic Ministers at both St. Pius X Church in Yarmouth, MA and St. Peter the Apostle Church in Naples, FL.

Stephen’s survivors include daughters Laura Susmann and Mary Beth Hulbert and her husband Jim. He is also survived by his sister Mary Lou Mytych and sister in law Alta Johnston.  Stephen leaves his grandchildren: Jennifer Susmann, Jacqueline Bartolini and her husband Alan, Matthew Dubois and his longtime companion Lori Loftus, Christopher Dubois and Meredith Dubois. He also leaves his great grandchildren: Hannah Magoon, Grace Magoon, Rylie Loftus, Tatum Loftus, Jace Dubois, Ben Bartolini and Lucas Bartolini.

Stephen was predeceased by his Wife of 69 years, Josephine who passed in March of 2023, brothers: John C. Clifford and wife Pauline, Donald J. Clifford and wife Helen, Charles E. Clifford and wife Vivian, and his son in law, Arthur Susmann. He leaves many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be from 9:30 to 10:30 on Friday October 20, 2023 at Clifford Funeral Home, 2 Washington Street, Rutland, VT.  A funeral Mass will follow at St. Peter Church, 134 Convent Avenue, Rutland, VT.  Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Rutland, VT.

Please consider donating in Stephen’s memory to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.  Donations are welcome online at https://www.michaeljfox.org/.