LEWISTON – Charles M. Clifford Jr., 76, of Minot, passed away after a long illness on Friday, Feb. 9, at Central Maine Medical Center, with his loving family by his side.

He was born on April 16, 1930, in Lewiston, a son of the late Charles M. and Anna (Moore) Clifford.

He was educated in Minot Schools and graduated from Edward Little in 1948.

He then served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

When he returned, he married Helen Elwell on Sept. 3, 1954, in Auburn. Together they had celebrated 52 wonderful years of marriage.

He worked for New England Telephone, now Verizon, for 38 years, until his retirement in 1991.

Charlie was a member of the Minot Center Congregational Church and was sexton of the Center Hill Cemetery.

He was a member for 62 years in the Minot Center Grange, and the Androscoggin Pomona, State and National Grange. He was an honorary charter member and one of the founders of the Moonshiner’s Snowmobile Club. He also was a member of the Small Woodland Owners Association and the Telephone Pioneers.

Charlie served for many years on various town of Minot committees. He was notorious at town meetings asking “Where are the street lights?”

He is survived by his loving wife, Helen Clifford, of Minot; two daughters, Cathy Laplante and husband, Marc, of Minot, and Jane Doody and husband, Kevin, of Bangor; three sisters and a brother, Barbara Field, Erna Hicks, Charlene Nason, and Richard Clifford; four grandchildren, Anna Laplante, Kris Doody, Jessica Mosher and husband, Matt, and Lauren LaPlante; and two great-grandchildren, Luke Mosher and Alexa Smith.