Rev. James J. Clifford

NORTH OXFORD: Rev. James J. Clifford, 88, a priest of the Worcester Diocese more than 60 years, died peacefully at St. Ann's Rectory in North Oxford, on Tuesday, July 19, 2005, after a long battle with cancer. He is survived by a twin brother, John J. Clifford of Portland, ME; two nieces, Jean Sawyer of Newton, Patricia Clifford of Atlanta, GA; and a nephew, Michael Clifford of South Portland, ME. He was born and raised in Holyoke, son of the late James J. and Minnie (Mullan) Clifford and graduated from Holyoke High School in 1934. He prepared for the priesthood at St. Charles Seminary in Catonsville, MD, from 1937 to 1939, at the Seminary of Philosophy in Montreal from 1939 to 1941 and in the Grand Seminary in Montreal from 1941 to 1945. He was ordained Jan. 13, 1945 by Bishop Thomas M. O'Leary in St. Michael's Cathedral, Springfield. After ordination he served as associate pastor at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Spencer. He served subsequent assignments as associate pastor at St. Mary Parish, Longmeadow; St. Margaret Mary Parish, Worcester; St. Mary Parish, Brookfield; St. George Parish, Worcester; St. Louis Parish, Webster; St. Augustine Parish, Millville; Sacred Heart Parish, Gardner, and Sacred Heart Parish, Fitchburg. While he was pastor in Millville, he supervised construction of a new $325,000 church to replace the one that was destroyed by fire on Feb. 27, 1969. Bishop Flanagan dedicated the new church on Nov. 13, 1970. Father Clifford was temporary administrator at St. Joseph Parish, Charlton; St. Aloysius Parish, Rochdale, and St. Camillus de Lellis Parish, Fitchburg. He was named administrator at Immaculate Conception Parish, Lancaster on June 12, 1965, before being named pastor there on Oct. 11, 1965. He was named pastor of St. Augustine Parish, Millville, May 24, 1968; of St. Mary Parish, Southbridge, March 12, 1971; of St. Brigid Parish, Millbury, July 15, 1974; of St. Margaret Mary Parish, Worcester, July 1, 1978, and of St. Joseph Parish, North Brookfield, June 30, 1981. He was named to the Ministry to the Elderly, Nov. 5, 1984 and retired in Feb. 1986 and was assigned as Chaplain to the nuns at Notre Dame du Lac. He also lived in Florida, the retirement community of Southgate in Shrewsbury and the Priest Retirement Home, Vianney House in Worcester, before moving to St. Ann's Rectory two years ago. Father Clifford recently celebrated his 60th Anniversary of Priesthood and will be greatly missed by many who loved him, both the Priests and faithful Catholics of the Diocese of Worcester. CALLING HOURS are from 5 to 8 p. m. on Thursday, July 21 in KELLY FUNERAL HOME, 154 Lincoln St. , Worcester. A FUNERAL MASS will be held at 10 a. m. on Friday, July 22 in ST. ANN'S CHURCH, 654 Main St. , North Oxford. Burial will be in the Clergy section of St. John's Cemetery, Worcester. Donations in Fr. Clifford's memory may be made to the Ministry to Retired Priests, c/o Sister Mary Ann Bartell, CSE, Director, c/o The Carmelite Sisters, 188 Old Worcester Road, Charlton, MA 01507. www. kellyfuneralhome. com