Peacefully with his family by his side Clifford “Cliff” Calder passed away on September 20, 2023 at Salem Home in Winkler at the age of 74 years.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 53 years Pat (nee Taylor); daughter Nicki (Randy) with grandchildren Tanner, Randine and Morgan, son Chad (Lavina) with grandchildren Molly and Dani; brother Bill (Sherri); father-in-law Bill (Mary) Taylor, sister-in-law Pauline, brother-in-law Lee Taylor and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a lifetime of friends.
He was predeceased by his parents, Lloyd and Gus Calder, brother Bob Calder, mother-in-law Barbara and Jose Harbin, brother-in-law Rod Taylor and nephew Adam Calder as well as many loved aunts, uncles and cousins.
Dad was born and raised in Portage, but his love was always spending time at the family farm in Kinosota where he spent much of his childhood. That love continued through his life and Dad loved to be at the farm whether it was for hunting, helping his uncles with cattle or doing anything that needed done or just sitting enjoying a good bonfire.
He met mom in Portage, and they were married on March 28, 1970 spending 53 adventurous years together. Dad was never one to stay in one place and the family would move from Ottawa to Mayo, Yukon to Ft Nelson, BC than eventually settling back in Portage. Along the way 2 children would join the family. Dad worked many jobs including radio operator/traffic controller, owned his own TV repair shop, worked on the Dew line up North before finding his place at the MDC where he would stay for over 20 years until is retirement. Everyone who worked with Dad had stories to tell and he loved his years at MDC.
Dad loved his animals whether it was dogs, cats, horses, it didn’t matter he loved them all. He loved to garden and was always proud of his new crops and always willing to share. Dad’s true love though was always baseball and being on the ball field. He played right up until a detached retina forced him to retire in 2011.
Family was always the most important thing to Dad, and he loved being a part of a big family. He was always there for everyone and would do anything for you. He was the happiest when he became a Grandpa and would brag about his grandkids to anyone who would listen. He never missed a sporting game, concert, or chance for a sleepover. His grandkids were the most important thing to him and he was their #1 fan.
Our family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Willow Unit at Salem Long Term care home for their compassionate care of Dad throughout his stay there. There are not enough words to describe what this meant to our family knowing our Dad was been so well taken care of by such caring people. They became family to him and made this difficult time so much easier for our family. They will miss his mischievous grin and that glint in his eye.
A celebration of Dad’s life will be on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at The William Glesby Center in Portage at 1:30 pm. Cremation has taken place and interment will be held at a later date.
Donations in Dad’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba - North Central Region Office Herman Prior Centre – 40 Royal Road North, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 1V1 or to Salem Foundation 165 – 15th Street, Winkler, Manitoba, R6W 1T8.
A tree will be planted and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.
www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com 204-857-4021