1920 – 2014

AUBURN — Clifford Leroy Damon Jr., 93, died Thursday, July 31, at his home in North Auburn following several months of declining health.

He was the son of Clifford Leroy Damon and Isabelle Gould Damon. He was born in Buckfield on Oct. 11, 1920. His early schooling was in a one-room schoolhouse in North Buckfield, and he graduated from Buckfield High School in 1940.

He spent some time working at the Foster manufacturing company in Dixfield, as a machinist at Southworth Machine Co. in South Portland, and at the Harold O’Brien Die Co. in Lewiston.

In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and achieved the rank of Machinist Mate First Class while serving aboard the USS Wyoming out of Norfolk, Va. He married Clarissa Titus on Dec. 30, 1945 at the High Street Methodist Church in Auburn.

After his discharge from the service, he attended the Central Trade School in Auburn to learn refrigeration and air conditioning repair. He worked for Northeastern Refrigeration before he established his own business as Damon Refrigeration in the early 1950s. He operated the family business with his wife out of their home for more than 30 years.

He was a man who had to be busy, becoming the Mr. Fix-it for neighbors and friends, and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone. He took great pride in keeping his lawns mowed and neatly trimmed and his driveway cleared of snow.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and the many family trips to Rangeley Lake for Fouth of July with his extended family. He also enjoyed snowmobiling and was a member of the Perkins Ridge Snowmobile Club.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Clarissa Titus Damon; his sons Douglas and wife, Donna, of Chebeague Island, and Bruce and wife, Marcia Baxter, of Lewiston; his daughter, Judith and husband, Charles Burns, of Milford, N.H.; five grandchildren, Kate Damon and husband, Bill Denney, of Somerville, Mass., Laura Damon-Theriault and husband, Jean-Luc Theriault, of Farmington, Jonathan Damon and wife, Molly Stuart, of Groton, Mass., Rachel Damon of Cincinnati and Thomas Damon and wife, Iva, of Buckfield; and two great-grandchildren, Neika Theriault and Harvey Damon.

He was predeceased by his four brothers and one sister, Robert, Charles, Richard, Howard and Jeannette.

Condolences may be expressed at www.funeralalternatives.net.