Joseph F. Clifford
August 14, 1935 - June 18, 2026
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Obituary for Joseph F. Clifford
Joseph F. Clifford, of Quincy, died peacefully Thursday June 18, 2026.
Joe was born in the Savin Hill neighborhood of Dorchester MA to Frank J. Clifford and Mary T. (Clifford) Clifford on August 14, 1935, the 7th of their 10 children.
He attended St Williams grade school in Savin Hill where he met many of lifelong friends, including his wife Joan. Joe attended Boston Tech High School where he played defense on the varsity hockey team. He graduated in 1954.
Joe was a member of the St Williams CYO Championship band that led the St Patrick’s Day Parade in NYC in 1954. He later served as the band’s marching director.
In 1955 Joe enlisted in the US Army, stationed at Ft Meyer in Arlington VA, as a member of the elite 3rd US Infantry Regiment known as the Old Guard, the oldest active-duty infantry in the Army serving our nation since 1784. He was honorably discharged in 1957. Joe remained proud of his time in the military and stayed in contact with members of his unit across the country, while also spending time with them at reunions. During the 2019 reunion he was bestowed the highest honor in laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier where members of his family witnessed one of his proudest moments, only 2nd to marrying Joan.
After his military service, Joe began a 42-year career with the Boston Edison Local 369 where he worked at Mass Ave in Boston and the Pilgrim Nuclear Plant in Plymouth serving as warehouse manager. Joe had the good fortune of calling his colleagues his friends. There wasn’t a morning he didn’t take joy in going to work where he employed a professional and prideful acumen to the job. Joe retired in 1999.
Prior and during his time in the Army, Joe courted the love of his life, Joan. They married in 1958 and moved from their beloved Savin Hill, over the bridge, to Quincy where they raised their 8 children. Joe and Joan made a home on Greenview Street where they loved to host. Their door was always open welcoming friends and family. The close knit neighborhood of Lakin Square afforded Joe and Joan’s children to meet their life long friends, akin to what Savin Hill gave them. Quincy was everything to Joe. He loved the community and was an active participant in parades, civic and sporting events.
St Agatha’s parish and school was another staple of Joe’s many communities. He and Joan served on many parish groups while also serving as an usher during masses. All his children and several grandchidren attended St Agatha’s school. The many families and friends from St Agatha’s remained dear to Joe for over 63 years.
After many years of renting summer homes in Dennis, and upon his youngest child Brian’s graduation from college, Joe and Joan’s dream was realized in buying a home in Dennis MA, appropriately named, Tuition Free! The home and Mayflower beach community gave Joe, his entire family and many friends so much joy. He was a staple on Mayflower Beach where to him, there were no strangers, only friends.
Joe took the milestone of being Grandpa to his 19 grandchildren, with genuine delight. He was an active participant in all of their lives regarding their schools, their sporting and cultural events and most importantly their personal lives. Between the Greenview Street and the Dennis homes, there was always grandchildren present. His guidance, sense of humor, humility and love were gifts well received by all his grandchildren.
While Joe loved all the Boston Sports teams, his true passion was the Red Sox. He believed he willed them in breaking “the curse” in 2004 by attending games 4 and 5 in Boston and 6 and 7 in the Bronx.
Joe will be sorely missed by his family and many friends. He demonstrated a zest for life even in the most ordinary of events. His strong character, charismatic style and unconditional love for us all will never be forgotten.
Beloved husband of Joan M. (Sullivan) Clifford.
Loving father of Marie B. Murray (Fred), Jean M. Bryant (Robert), Donna L. Rogantino (Andrew), William A. Clifford (Marie), David J. Clifford, Julie A. Healy (Tom), Maureen E. Quill (Paul), and Brian P. Clifford (Eileen).
Affectionate grandfather to Sarah, Nicole, Michael, Andrew, Molly, Mike, Luke, Juliana, Brendan, Sean, Tara, Taryn, Angelica, Charlie, Lucy, Dylan, Joe, Connor, and Kaelynn and great grandchildren.
He also leaves his brother Dan Clifford, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his eight siblings: Anna, Mamie, Helen, Jack, Richie, Frankie, Jim, and Mike.
Visiting hours in Saint Agatha Church, 432 Adams Street, Milton, Tuesday 4-7 PM with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated in the church Wednesday June 24 at 10:30 am. Relatives and friends invited. Interment Mount Wollaston Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s memory may be made to St. Agatha Parish, 432 Adams St., Milton, MA 02186.
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Visiting Hours
04:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Mass of Christian Burial
10:30 AM
Interment
12:00 PM
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Backman Family planted 10 trees in memory of Joseph F. Clifford . - June 23, 2026
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Bonesy planted 5 trees in memory of Joseph F. Clifford . - June 22, 2026
Condolences
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June 24, 2026
Dear Clifford Family. We are so sorry for your loss!! Just seeing this now. Mr. And Mrs. Clifford were legendary parents at AWHS, and Kevin has always said that Joe was his favorite in all of his 47 years of teaching. Joe even stopped by for monthly visits while Kevin was at Milton. Great man, great family, great memories. God bless you all. Kevin and Tracy Macdonald
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June 24, 2026
Sending our condolences to the Clifford family. Joe was so welcoming when we first moved in 20 years ago. He has always been a ray of sunshine and we loved seeing him sitting on his porch. His kindness will never be forgotten ❤️
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June 23, 2026
Sending our love, condolences, gratefulness, and prayers to your whole family. What a generous, humorous, and wonderful man! What memories of fun July 4th times on the Cape! Love, Maria Petty and family (Russ Hutchinson's daughter)
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June 23, 2026
Sorry to hear of the loss of Joe and my condolences go out to the entire Clifford family. Not only did I work with Joe at The Edison but Joe worked with my father when he first started working there. Joe had a great work ethic, great sense of humor and love of his family. Jerry Carey
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June 22, 2026
We were so saddened to hear of Joe's passing. You are all in our prayers. Many hugs to you all. Beth (Farricy) Connaughton
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June 21, 2026
To this wonderful family that I just met I address this message of condolence. I consider Joe my " best friend"even though we just met about three months ago. Joe was that kind of person. He joined us very recently at Southwood, yet from the day you met Joe, it seemed you knew him all your life. We were just one month apart in age and his daughter had looked at my room when looking for a place for Dad. His daughter was delightful and introduced us immediately. We became regular visitors and I looked forward to his kids visiting just like my own. I am going to miss them just like I will miss Joe. From the way he lived, my guess is that he went straight to Heaven. God rest his soul and may he pray for his friends here. We loved you, Joe, and look forward to resuming our friendship in Heaven. Sincerely, Walt
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June 20, 2026
The world lost an amazing human, but heaven has gained a beautiful human. To the entire Clifford family, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope Joe and my Dad get to share a good story! He truly was one of the finest. ~ Judi (Rowan Simonelli)
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June 20, 2026
As one of the many extended Clifford family members I remember Joe and Joan being so sweet and allowing a ninth person to jump into their station wagon and go to the local park or cookout. Although Joe didn't know that Joan had invited me :-)..They were always so gracious and kind. I often remember them driving down the street in the station wagon and beeping the horn and when I turned to wave to them, they were all waving outside the other window and making a joke of it. It was always such a fun place to grow up on Greenview with all the kids in the neighborhood. We couldn't have asked for a better upbringing and greater parents than Joe and Joan who are so loving and giving of all they had. Our deepest condolences from the Fortin family. John (Forty) Fortin
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June 20, 2026
To all the Joe Clifford family, On behalf of the entire membership of the Old Guard Association, please accept our deepest condolences on your loss. We mourn alongside you for a fellow Old Guardsman who served our country with great pride and treasured his lifelong connection to our association. Joe served with the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) with unmatched pride, holding the values of the regiment close to his heart. Our association was deeply honored to call him a member, and we know how profoundly he treasured the lasting friendships, memories, and camaraderie that he shared with his fellow Old Guardsmen. With Deepest Sympathy, The Old Guard Association
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June 19, 2026
I am so saddened to see this. Your dad was such a fantastic human being. Always helpful and always so nice. You could not ask for a better next door neighbor. Sending my condolences and best wishes to all the Clifford family. Please send my love and prayers to your mom. Eric Backman
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June 19, 2026
To Joan, the Clifford Family & Extended Family; I want to extend my deepest sympathies to you on the loss of Joe. He was one of the first people I met when I was welcomed into the St. Agatha community of Ministries. Joe was always gracious, soft spoken, kind and willing to give of himself for others. May he rest in peace and his memory be eternal. Prayerfully, Ginny Mayhew
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June 19, 2026
My condolences to Joan and all the family. My thoughts are with you all and with our Uncle Danny, too. Mary (Bonner) Kelly, Donegal Ireland
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June 19, 2026
Awe Joe, salt of the earth; an incredible man who will always be remembered for his sincere and loving kindness, warmth, and great sense of humor🥰
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June 19, 2026
One of the kindest, gentleman we've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Always a kind word, a smile and a hello". A legendary man, he will be sorely missed. Love, The Hannon's
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June 19, 2026
Dear Clifford Family, He was a legend in his own time . I can only thank you for sharing him when a young family At Mayflower. That beach wasn't THE beach without the Clifford's. Love to Joan and you all thanks for sharing this great man with all of us. I was blessed to bump into him at Austin Prep. It was my nieces volleyball game for Archie Bills a shock to see him there but grateful for the meeting now.Love and prayers from Mary .Christine & John . Mary Moran
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June 19, 2026
When Joe and Joe Clifford moved to Greenview St in Quincy my life my life changed forever. Joe was my hero in so many wonderful ways. He loved sports, the Baltimore Colts, Cape Cod, horseshoes, children's laughter, Joan's chocolate cake, Joan's everything! But most of all, he loved life and, for the 60 plus years I knew him, he made mine so much better. God Bless Joe and his beautiful family. With much love, Bobby Torraco.
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