Naugatuck-Christopher John Clifford,44, of 298 Hillside Ave died suddenly and went Home to the Lord, at the home of his parents on Friday December 28, 2018. Christopher was born in Orange, California on June 26, 1974, son of Deacon Thomas J. and Linda R (Kulis) Clifford of Naugatuck. He graduated from Naugatuck High School in 1992 and received a Degree in Culinary Arts from Johnson and Wales University in Providence, R.I. in 1995.
As a longtime member of St. Mary’s Church, he served with his brothers as an altar server for many years. In his high school years, he was a member of the Naugatuck High School football team. He also received awards while in the Culinary Arts Program, where he began his love of what would be his lifelong profession as a chef.
He worked in many restaurants in the New Haven and Waterbury area beginning at the age of 15. For the past seven years he worked as executive chef at Post University in Waterbury, a position to which he was dedicated and thoroughly enjoyed and excelled. Chris was a wonderful son, brother, and uncle, and exceptional friend to all he met.
He was always willing to help others, especially donating time and talent at fund raisers, Chris was always there. He was a true life-long friend to countless people, whom he sincerely loved. He enjoyed camping, fishing, ice fishing, and going to concerts with these many friends.
Chris had a great sense of humor, always seeing the best in people. He was a gentle giant with a big heart, and as Chris would always say, no matter what the situation, “It’s all good”. Besides his loving parents, Deacon Tom and Linda, Christopher is survived by his beloved niece Alyssa Marie Clifford of Oakville, his paternal grandmother Lorraine (Sharkey) Clifford of Naugatuck; his aunts and uncles Gary and Diana Clifford, Lisa and David Stumpo, and Jean and Fred Lucas, and several very close cousins.
He was predeceased by his older brother Thomas, his younger brother Michael, who died in Sept. , and infant sister Theresa; his grandparent John and Veronica Kulis, and Jeremiah Clifford. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Sat.
Jan. 5, 2019 at 11am at St. Hedwig’s Church, 32 Golden Hill St., those attending Mass are asked to meet directly at the Church by 10:45am. Burial to follow at St. James Cemetery in Naugatuck.
Family and friends may call on Friday Jan. 4 from 5-8pm at Naugatuck Valley Memorial Funeral Home, 240 N. Main St., in Naugatuck. To send online condolences visit naugatuckvalleymemorial.com.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Christopher’s name to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation in honor of his little cousin Ava, who is afflicted by a rare childhood cancer. Checks may be given to Funeral Director or donations can be made to alexslemonade.org/mypage/1627235. or to Naugatuck Ecumenical Food bank, 75 Spring St., Naugatuck, CT 06770.
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