Obituary of Clifford Whitham Jr.

CLIFFORD WHITHAM JR. Latham- Clifford Whitham Jr. (Opa), 86 of Latham, passed away peacefully Friday, April 11, 2008. Born in Milford, CT on July 6, 1921, he was the son of the late Clifford and Lucy (Jackson) Whitham Sr. He was the devoted husband of 62 years to his high school sweetheart, Lucile (Mitchell) Whitham. Clifford graduated from Hartford Public High School in Hartford in 1939, where he participated on the cross country track team. He served in the US Army Air Corps for 3 years, stationed in Iceland. He graduated from the University of Conn., Storrs in 1944. He was the former Eastern Branch Manager of Starline Inc., Harvard Il., a longtime member of the Colonie Elks Lodge #2192, and a Mason of the Noah Lodge No. 0754 in Altamont. He was also an enthusiastic supporter of the UCONN womens basketball team, an amateur ham radio operator and history buff. Clifford retired in 1984 to pursue his lifelong dream of sailing, where many lasting friendships were made. The most memorable trip was when Lucile and Cliff sailed for 3 months from Burlington Vt., to Mobile Al. via the Erie Canal, Great Lakes and Mississippi River, then on to the Bahamas. It was in the Bahamas that they spent every winter exploring the islands. Other interests included the establishment of a family owned business that continues to this day and traveling extensively visiting family and friends, with whom he enjoyed sharing his many stories. Devoted father of Crissie Wyatt of Ocala, FL, Lisa (Earl) Pease of Essex Vt., April (Lindsey) Holmbeck of Carbondale, CO., Cherished Opa of Muffy (Richard) Trimmer, Catrina (Paul) Cataldi, Holly Pease, Adam Pease, Jackson Holmbeck and Porter Holmbeck. Loving Great Opa of Bruce Trimmer, Brianna Trimmer, Anthony Cataldi and Dominic Cataldi. He is also survived by a sister-in-law Marie Whitham, a niece and 2 nephews, along with devoted friends too numerous to mention. We will miss him terribly but he will remain in our hearts always. Passing before him, his brother Wesley and a son-in-law Bruce Wyatt. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service in celebration of his life on Tuesday April 15 beginning at 2:30 pm at the Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 149 Old Loudon Rd., Latham In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Cliff in a special way may send contributions to NY State Volunteers for Distressed Wildlife, c/o Denise Ziter, 33 New Turnpike Rd., Troy NY 12182. For directions, information or to light a memory candle for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com