Clifford A. Bodge, 85, of Mattapoisett died January 11, 2021 at home after a lengthy illness surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of the late Ann H. (Brady) Bodge and the late Barbara J. (Brady) Bodge.
Born in Quincy, MA he was the son of the late John A. and Mildred E. (Lovejoy) Bodge, living in Taunton, MA until moving to Attleboro, MA to raise his family.
Clifford was the President and Treasurer and second generation of the family business, Taunton Stove Company, Inc. for nearly 40 years until his retirement in 2008. He served as Chairman until his passing and was proud to have his son and two of his grandchildren succeed him as the third and fourth generation to join the Company. He was employed as a Mechanical Engineer and later a Program Manager from 1958 – 1969 at Texas Instruments in Attleboro.
Clifford was a graduate of Taunton High School, class of 1953, Northeastern University, class of 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and received his MBA from the University of Rhode Island in 1968. He trained in the US Army ROTC Program while at Northeastern University and was a US Army Reserve through 1962.
He was a member of the Rotary Club International of Taunton and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Clifford was devoted to his family and shared his passion for sailing the waters of Narragansett Bay and Buzzards Bay with them. Cliff also enjoyed fishing and any project that he could do in 5 minutes, in particular those done on the local waters. He loved Bay racing and was a past member of the Twenty Hundred Club Bay Racing Organization and the Tiverton Yacht Club.
Clifford spent his winters at his residence in Fort Myers, FL and traveled extensively to Europe and Ireland as well as the Caribbean Islands, often chartering a sailboat during his stay.
He was an avid Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan, often seen wearing a team jersey.
Survivors include his children, Lisa A. (Bodge) Hopkins and her husband Stephen of Westport, MA, Bruce M. Bodge and his wife Lori Ann of Taunton, MA, Linda L. (Bodge) Haslehurst and her husband Bruce of Fairhaven, MA, J. Thomas Bodge of Swansea, MA, Lynne M. (Bodge) Zankman and her husband Daniel of Greenville, South Carolina and Leslie J. Bodge of Attleboro, MA.
Other survivors are his step-children, John E. Cornish and his wife Debra of Mattapoisett, Joan E. (Cornish) Gould and her husband Mark of Ipswich, MA, James M. Cornish of Wareham, MA, and his brother-in-law and lifetime friend, Mr. John F. Brady of Portsmouth, RI.
Clifford proudly leaves 17 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and 4 nieces. His beloved mini-poodle Ella was his constant companion.
Clifford was pre-deceased by Irene A. (Tougas) Bodge, late wife of J. Thomas Bodge and Margaret H. (Lane) Brady, late wife of John F. Brady, and Richard Gould, late son of Joan E. (Cornish) and Mark Gould.
Clifford’s Family expresses their deepest appreciation and gratitude for the loving, supportive and compassionate care provided by the entire Staff of Tender Hearts Home Health Care during his illness.
His visiting hours will be held Thursday, January 14th, 2021 from 3-7 pm in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. Due to COVID-19 capacity restrictions, his funeral and burial will be private. Memorial Donations to Benefit MattSail, PO Box 947, Mattapoisett, MA 02739 may be made in memory of Clifford A. Bodge. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
