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December 16, 1930 - April 2, 2020
Cliff passed away peacefully at Terraceview Lodge on Thursday evening - April 02, 2020. He had been a resident of the lodge for four years.
Cliff came to Terrace in 1948 at the age of 17 from Saskatchewan along with his parents and sister to join his 2 older brothers already living here, who had married daughters of Will Little, half brother to George Little. Older brother Bill stayed on the farm.
Cliff started work the next day at Pohle Lumber Co., on Kalum Drive along with his Dad, working for a year and then went back to Saskatchewan to attend a non-denominational Bible School.
Returning from Saskatchewan, Cliff met his wife - Gertrude (Trudy) in 1951, who had recently moved to Terrace from Alberta with her parents as her dad was searching for work. Cliff and Trudy were married on September 2nd, 1953 at the Terrace Pentecostal Church.
Cliff was very active in the Pentecostal church, serving in many ways, Sunday school bus driver, board member, if there was a work bee, Cliff was there.
Cliff drove truck for Terrace Transfer, Johnstone & Michiel, Imperial Oil and also worked as a mechanic at Reum Motors.
Cliff looked after the Tuck Home for several years, was President at the Happy Gang and was a life member.
In the early years Cliff volunteered at the Fire Department along with his brother Arnold during the mid to late 50's, and was the Fire Chief at the Airport during that time.
Cliff took a lot of training courses, Air Force Rescue, Emergency response, Municipal Fire Administration, First Aid, and others, too many to mention.
In 1960 Cliff joined the Terrace Fire Department and became Chief in April 1974 until his retirement in December 1990. He loved his job and the people contact. He was responsible for getting the first Terrace ambulance which he was in charge of for several years. He also taught First Aid.
Cliff was a story teller, you should have heard the one about Trudy's first lemon pie. He loved a good joke which would get changed in the telling until it was nearly unrecognizable.
Cliff loved hunting, skidooing and even motorcycling until it nearly did him in.
Cliff was an excellent husband, father, and in later years grandfather. He loved his family, Terrace peoples welfare came first in regards to keeping Terrace safe.
Cliff was pre-deceased by his parents - William and Beatrice Best, brothers - Bill, George, Arnold, sister - Shirley Walsh, - daughter - Barb Kemeny, niece - Sharon Laclair, nephew - Georgie Best, sister-in-law - Marie Best, brothers in law - James Walsh and Allan Erickson, mother and father in law, Gus and Ann Erickson.
Cliff will be greatly missed by his wife of 66 years, Trudy, daughters Wanda - Betty Buttar (Lennie) Jesse, Maggie (Jay), Zeke (Alyssa), Cindy Pellegrin (Brad) Celia, Leana Cooper (Rob) Bella, Cole, son-in-law John Kemeny, Joel (Sabrena) Sophie.
The family plans on having a celebration of life at a later date, Covid 19 permitting.
Many thanks to Terraceview Lodge for their care of Cliff. Any one wishing to do so in lieu of flowers may make a donation to the Lodge - NHA - Terraceview Lodge Main Office, 4707 Kerby Road, Terrace BC V8B 2W2.
I Loved You Yesterday I Love You Today I'll Love You Tomorrow Forever And Always - Trudy


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