Clifford W. Smith passed from this life on September 27, 2019, after a long and valiant battle with illness.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Thea; his two sons; and his brother, Gerrish Smith, and his wife, Cathy.

Cliff was most proud of his sons and their beautiful families, Craig and Alison Smith and Kevin and Marcela Smith and grandchildren Daniel, Ryan, and Olivia.

Some in Newtown knew Cliff as the “cow chip guy,” because of one of his fundraiser efforts for the high school’s Blue and Gold program. He was very active in various civic activities, including Cub and Boy Scouts.

His high energy and talents had him usually working on projects, and friends knew he was always willing to help them with theirs.

Cliff was most relaxed when he was “Captain Cliff” at the helm of his cabin cruiser in Long Island Sound or on his sailboat on Lake Hayward, Conn. Occasional forays into adventure with excursions like white water rafting, sky diving, scuba diving, and trekking into the Grand Canyon appealed to his ever-enthusiastic spirit. He also enjoyed skiing, travel, golf, and singing in the choir.

Cliff attended school in Meriden and Newington, Conn., graduating from Widener University in Chester, Penn. Most of his career was in personnel, retiring from BIC corporation.

A Celebration of Life service will be held 2:30 pm on Monday, October 7, 2019, at Burroughs Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Murrells Inlet. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2 to 2:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the St Rose of Lima Church Music Ministry, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470; or to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org; or to the Smith Clinic, 116 Baskervill Drive, Pawleys Island SC 29585.

Burroughs Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Murrells Inlet (843-651-1440) is assisting the family.