August 2, 1956 - November 7, 2022
Beloved husband of Karen. Loving father to Elizabeth (Wes) and the late Stephen. Loving son of the late Vivian and the late Kenneth Lilley. Dear brother of Keith, the late Ken (Linda), and Craig (Donna). Brother-in-law to David (Janine), the late Stephen (Clara), Robert, Paul (Kathi) and Cathleen (Paul). Kooky Uncle Cliff will be sadly missed by all of his nieces and nephews.
Cliff was born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario, and being one of four boys, with no TV and before the internet, he was automatically indoctrinated into sports. He was very athletic, participating in track & field, cycling, and excelling at football for the Scarborough Rams. His cycling prowess took him on many journeys around the City of Toronto in his youth, and even a solo ride from Thunder Bay to Toronto when he was in his early 20s. Late last year, he rode from his home in Anten Mills to Hamilton, and over the years, participated in countless fundraising rides.
Cliff graduated from the University of Toronto in 1979 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He parlayed his degree into a job in the engineering department at Stelco in Hamilton. There he met Karen, whom he eventually married on May 7th, 1983.
In 1987, Cliff and Karen welcomed their first child, Elizabeth, into the world. Their son, Stephen, was born in 1992. Cliff had such a vibrant, fun-loving personality and was an amazing father; he would make up games to play with his children, and had the energy to entertain them for hours on end. He imparted so much knowledge and wisdom on his children, and he always put his family first; they knew they could always rely on him. Cliff was the rock that gave the family the strength to get through Stephen’s death.
Cliff left Stelco to further his career with Wolf Steel (maker of Napoleon Products), where he made major contributions during his 29-year tenure, including numerous inventions and patents. He retired from Wolf Steel in 2018 as the Director of Engineering - Hearth.
His love of the outdoors would mean his retired life would be anything but boring. Throughout his life, he spent the first couple of weeks in May in Algonquin Park with his friends Steve S., Keith L., Al, Garry, Jeff, Keith C. and Steve H. At age 50, his passion for cycling led him to join the Barrie Cycling Club, where he volunteered as Treasurer for many years. Cliff also taught the Learn to Ride sessions on Wednesday evenings. After his retirement, he also joined the Wasaga Wheelers.
Cliff was an avid camper, and one of his favourite campgrounds was Killbear Provincial Park. If he wasn’t fishing, he was teaching others not only how to fish, but where to fish, and how to filet your catch. He also mentored countless others in the finer points of chopping firewood, tying knots, securing tarps, cooking over an open fire, and singing show tunes. Cliff was a master campfire storyteller, inventing stories to scare the kids, or telling real stories to make the adults laugh. He practiced all of this with patience, encouragement, humour, a rye and ginger, and – after that – perhaps a “smidge” more of something else.
In the winter months, Cliff enjoyed getting away with Karen to Santiago Manzanillo Mexico, but also couldn’t avoid the call of the slopes; whether it was local at Mount St. Louis, or across the Atlantic in Switzerland, he loved to ski and stay active outdoors. Heavily involved in the local community, Cliff was instrumental in creating the McLaughlin Street floats for the annual Anten Mills Santa Claus parade. To him, it was a way of giving back to a community that consists of people who were more like family to him than just neighbours.
Cliff’s thoughtfulness, and willingness to help anyone, were evident wherever he went. It was not uncommon for him to pull over to the side of the road and help someone, or even offer “strangers” he just met on a bike ride a meal and a place to rest for the night.
Life is doing the things you love, with the ones you love. And by this principle, Cliff had an exemplary life. We all just wish we could have him around for a smidge longer.
The family invites those attending the visitations or memorial service to come prepared with a memory of Clifford to write down on cards that will be provided; no memory is too small, too long, or too insignificant to share. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to SickKids Hospital, or the charity of your choice.
Messages of condolence may be forwarded to the family through adamsfuneralhome.ca