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Clifford Franklin Simpson

October 1, 2018

May 23, 1945 - October 1, 2018
Cliff died surrounded by family in NRGH Palliative Unit after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke. He was predeceased by his parents, George and Esther. He is survived by wife, Marilyn, daughters Lisa Corlett (Kevin), Erinn Dawe (Geoff) and Hilary Simpson. He also leaves his only sister, Glenda Shumka (Doug); as well as brother and sisters-in-law, Dennis Carlow, Judy Henderson, and Donna Griffiths and families. Cliff was so proud of his 6 beloved grandchildren: Zach and Emily Tomlinson, Darcy and Sophie Dawe, Hailey Martens, and Heidi Simpson. Cliff had many nieces and nephews, and a special friendship with Toby Martens and Garett Legault, whom he considered to be like sons in our family.

Cliff was born in Victoria and then spent several years growing up in Duncan before the family returned to Victoria. After graduation, he worked as an apprentice heavy duty mechanic in the Queen Charlotte Islands. He then joined the Canadian Coast Guard working on the icebreaker CCGS Camsell where several lifelong friendships began, and he spent four seasons working in the Arctic. In 1969 he married Marilyn Carlow. In 1975 Cliff bought his own troller and went commercial fishing, moving the family to Ladysmith. But in 1978 he decided to stay home and enjoy his 3 daughters and went to work in BCFP Crofton. Over the years he obtained his 4th and 3rd Class Stationary Engineer certificates and worked in the Power and Recovery. After 26 years, he retired and began a new career of Retirement, sending Marilyn off to work each morning and then pursuing gardening, some volunteering, working on his 409 62 Chev Impala and coffee "conversations" with friends. He also travelled to places that had long interested him such as India, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, and China. When Marilyn retired in 2014, they wintered in Mexico and travelled further to South and Central America and Europe. He was proud to say he had sailed the Arctic, gone around the Horn, and crossed the Panama.

Cliff will be remembered for his stories that began with "I have a cousin" (he really did have a lot), his mechanical skills, enjoyment of cooking, and his love for friends and family. It is so hard for us to go on without him but know that he could not stay.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Ladysmith at Eagles Hall, Friday, October 12 from 1 - 4 pm.

Please come and join us, and bring your stories.

Service Details

Celebration of Life
Friday, October 12, 2018
1:00 PM
Eagles Hall, 921-1st Ave, Ladysmith.


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