Obituary of Francis M. "Mike" Clifford

Francis M. “Mike” Clifford, Jr. MIDDLETON—Francis M. “Mike” Clifford, Jr., 63, a well-known resident of Peabody and Middleton, died peacefully at his home early Friday morning, March 18, 2011, with the comforting presence of his family by his side. Born in Salem, he was the son of Francis M. Clifford, Sr. of Peabody and the late Catherine (Dunn) Clifford. He graduated from Mt. Saint Charles Academy in Woonsocket, RI and then attended North Shore Community College and Salem State College. Mr. Clifford was a business owner, working in the insurance field for 40 years. Most recently he was owner and President of E.A. Stevens Company, Inc. of Malden & Middleton. He was a member of the CPCU & CIC Societies and also sat on several insurance company advisory boards. “Mike”, as he was known, had a passion for hockey. He served for over 30 years as an Assistant Varsity Hockey Coach at Peabody High School then Danvers High School. He was also an avid golfer and member at the Thomson Country Club of North Reading. He is survived by: a son, Gregory Clifford of Middleton; a daughter and son-in-law, Kelly & Christopher Watrous of Middleton; two grandchildren, Catherine and Chase Watrous; his wife, Vickie (Lord) Clifford of Peabody; his father, Francis M. Clifford, Sr., of Peabody; a brother, Daniel & his wife Linda Clifford of Danvers; a sister, Ann & her husband Garry Fellows of Middleton; five nieces & nephews, Michael, Andrew and Julia Fellows and Paul & Brittany Clifford. He was preceded in death by his mother, Catherine Clifford. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather on Wednesday March 23, 2011 at 10 AM from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St. location, Peabody, followed by a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM in St. John the Baptist Church, Peabody. A visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4 – 8 P.M. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery, Middleton. Memorial donations may be made to the Mike Clifford Hockey Scholarship, c/o Kelly Watrous, P.O. Box 873, Middleton, MA 01949.