December 30, 1935 – November 4, 2016
Cliff was born in Alberni, the youngest and much loved son of a large family. His parents Daisy May and Charles Henry Fletcher, siblings Burt, Barbara, Kathy, George, Chris, Vicky and Heather, and the love of his life, wife Shirley, predecease him.
His children Liz (Steve), Bruce (Karen), Andy (Kyna), grandsons Jake, Dain, Christopher, Keegan, Kyle, Levi and Sean, lovingly remember him. His foster son Hien (Marilyn) and the other grandchildren dear to his heart Lindsay (Stephane), Bryan, Tiara (Brad), Tanya, Jayde and Adrian, great-grandchildren Aubree and Ronan, many nieces, nephews and a large extended family will also dearly miss him. He looked forward to welcoming new granddaughters Sarah and Claire to the Fletcher clan.
Cliff’s first career was in the Royal Canadian Air Force; retiring first from the regular force in 1983 and then from reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1991. He made life-long friends at his many postings across Canada.
He chose to retire in the Comox Valley, unaware then that his grandfather had been one of the Valley’s first pioneers in 1862. Following his military career, he and Shirley started Aunt Shirley’s Attic, making many more friends amongst the antique community.
Cliff was a born leader. He lived to serve others and his passionate nature inspired others.
Amongst his many volunteer roles, he led many troops and acted as Area Commissioner with Boy Scouts of Canada. He was a devoted and active participant in all his church communities, especially St. George’s United Church. For 25 years, he volunteered as Santa for numerous children’s groups and each Christmas morning at Glacier View Lodge.
In recent years, he was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Courtenay, led elementary school Key Clubs, and served as Lt. Governor on Vancouver Island for two terms. Most recently, he was active on the Board of the Kiwanis Children’s Cancer Program, helping to raise funds to train pediatric oncologists, one penny at a time.
While Cliff never sought accolades, he was the recipient of many awards including the Order of Military Merit for his participation in the Prinsendam rescue and recently the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his extensive community service.
His family is very grateful to the many friends and caregivers who helped him greatly as his health deteriorated especially Bill, Sally, Courtney and Sarilyn. We are also very grateful to Dr. Reggler for his outstanding care and for helping him to leave this earth on his own terms, with dignity and respect.
Cliff’s service to others truly left the world a better place.
Please join his family and friends in celebrating his life at St. George’s United Church on Sunday, November 20 at 1 p.m.
Cliff desired any donations in his memory to be made to the Kiwanis Cancer Care Program (KCCP), St. George’s United Church or the Kiwanis Club of Courtenay.