Because he loved life so much he fought hard to remain. John Clifford, born September 25, 1928, in South Royalton, Vermont, died surrounded by family on February 7, 2011, at Hospice of Cincinnati (Blue Ash). He lived a purposeful life of hard work and dedication to family, and although he will be dearly missed, his family celebrates a life well lived. He leaves his wife, Peg, whom he was married to and cherished for 58 years. He leaves his children John (Patti), Barb (Bill) and Anne Marie (Rick); grandchildren Sarah (Kent), Jenni (Andy), Susanne (Brian), Dan (Anna), Erin, Will, Bryan, Sean, and Caroline, and his great-grandchild, JP. He also leaves a sister Helen (Nelson), a brother, Howard, and many special nieces and nephews. Family was what mattered most to John beginning with the decision to marry his wife Peg whom he said he chose because she was the prettiest girl in the room. John was the family patriarch, organizing family events with strict attention to detail. He enjoy John left South Royalton the day of his high school graduation by hitchhiking to White River Junction, Vermont, to enlist in the military, where he served in WWII and eventually Korea. He graduated from Fisher Business School in Boston and came to Cincinn Although always a spiritual man, he chose a deeper religious commitment late in life when he became baptized Catholic at St. Columban Church on January 18, 2010. The church community embraced him and was a powerful source of support in the last several mo In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be sent to Hospice of Cincinnati or the St. Columbanbuilding fund.