WATERVILLE: Clifford Francis Athorn, 86, passed away Thursday, August 11, 2011 at the Harding Nursing Home, Waterville, with his devoted wife by his side. Clifford was born on March 2, 1925 in Manchester, England to Clifford E. and Kathleen Athorn. He joined the Royal Air Force during WWII as a Radio Navigator. It was there that he met his future wife Sheila McDonald. They were married on September 25, 1948 in Manchester and shared 62 beautiful years together. They left England in 1958 for the United States and settled in Binghamton, NY. There he graduated from Broom Community College and started work at G.A.F. where he was employed until his retirement in 1990. After his retirement, Clifford and his wife spent their winters in Ponce Inlet, FL. They moved to Waterville in 2005 to be closer to family.
As one of God's people Clifford was a faithful member of the Trinity Memorial Church in Binghamton and then the Grace Episcopal Church in Waterville. He was a proud member and past Master of the F&AM Lodge in Binghamton and Florida and dedicated himself as a Legion of Honor Member of the Binghamton Shrine.
Clifford leaves behind his loving, doting wife Sheila; his children Clifford and Elizabeth Athorn, Minneapolis,, MN; Michael and MaryLou Athorn, Apalachicola, FL; Gillian and Mark Mowrey, Waterville, NY; and Yvonne and David Telep, Kansas City, MO. He is also survived by his sister Kathleen Davis, Manchester, England; and six adoring grandchildren, Max and Michael Athorn, Alex and Eileen Mowrey, and Nick and Natalie Telep; as well as his many beloved nieces and nephews.
Clifford's family would like to thank the Harding Nursing Home for their generous care and their help during this difficult time. He adored you all.
A memorial service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, East Main St., Waterville, on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 2pm.
Following Cliff's wishes, there will be no calling hours. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Shriner's Hospitals for Children at support.shrinershospitals.org.
Clifford will always be remembered as a brave, generous, and loving man who enjoyed golf, music, a good drink, and above all precious time spent with friends and family. The impressions he made on the lives of all who knew him will not be forgotten, and the memories he shared will live on in their hearts forever.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Kloster-Northrop & Bentz Funeral Home, Waterville.

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