CLIFFORD WADE
GUILFORD – Clifford Emerson “Red” Wade passed away at the age of “going on 83” on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 in DeLand, Florida.
Cliff was born on May 21, 1929 in the Bainbridge Hospital (now the NBT parking lot) to S. Margaret and Eddy Edson Wade. Cliff is survived by his wife of 60 years Betty L. Wade and his sisters Donna Wakeman and Linda Clark. He is predeceased by his parents and brother Milton D. Wade.
Cliff is also survived by daughter Debbie & Ron Tatar of South Wales, New York with grandchildren: Brian & Katherine Tatar with great grandchildren Bradley and Ella, Kathryn Tatar, Jeffrey and Jamie Tatar, and Sarah Tatar; daughter Brenda & Jim Walters of Guilford, New York with grandchildren Daniel Walters, Erin & Asa Kiser, and Emily Walters; son Michael and Arlene Wade of Guilford with grandsons Shawn, Justin and Danny Wade; son Ricky & Maria Wade of Houston, Texas with grandchildren Brandon, Jacklyn and Brittney Wade; and daughter Susan and Don Radecki of South Wales, New York with grandchildren Joshua, Rachel, Rebecca, Mikayla and Joel Radecki.
Cliff was a veteran of the Korean War serving as a Platoon Sergeant from 1952 to 1953. During his tour of duty he attained the rank of Master Sergeant. Cliff and Betty established the Wade Hay & Tree Farm in 1954 after Cliff’s return from military service. They really enjoyed all the people who came to choose and cut trees from the tree plantation which was planted after the cows were sold. Cliff was a self-employed farmer and had 23 years of employment as a letter carrier with the United States Postal Service, Bainbridge, New York office. After retirement from the United States Postal Service Cliff sold real estate; was Guilford Town Supervisor; and on Chenango County Board of Supervisors for 9 years. Along with Christmas trees Cliff cut and sold hay for years.
Known by friends and locals as “Red” because of the long shock of red hair that cascaded down his forehead to smiling eyes and a mischievous grin, Cliff was very active in a variety of organizations in the Bainbridge area and holding office in many of them. They included: Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce, Bainbridge Sportsman Club, Bainbridge Community Chest, General Clinton Canoe Regatta & Park, American Legion, Bainbridge Development Corporation, Chenango County Farm Bureau, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Guilford Historical Society, Chenango County Historical Society, Korean War Veterans’ Association, Seneca Lake Association, and the Yaleville Cemetery Association. Cliff was 1952 class president at Cornell but low marks caused him to “bust out” after the first semester. He also received Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce “Man of the Year” award in 1993.
One of the most satisfying community projects for Cliff was serving as chairman for the General Clinton Park purchase committee. It was during this time that hundreds of individual loans were paid off from Regatta profits in the early years of the General Clinton Canoe Regatta. Cliff was very proud of this accomplishment and referred to it as a “real tri-town project.” He is to be honored for his role in the development of the General Clinton Park at Memorial Day this year as part of the 50th Anniversary of the Regatta and he had been very hopeful to be home with family for that event.
“Red” loved lake trout fishing at Camp Fish-A-Lot on Seneca Lake, his deer hunting buddies in Yaleville and his moose and caribou hunting trips to Ontario and Newfoundland. Cliff greatest pride was in his wife Betty and their family of Deb, Brenda, Mike, Rick and Sue; his eighteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He realized more every day how lucky he was to have such a close and loving family. He also realized how fortunate he was to have so many close and caring friends; to have survived lung cancer for so many years; for living in Chenango County summers and for their winter home in Florida. Cliff often said, “My best friend Terry still maintains that I have set good, clean living back 100 years by surviving this long. Thanks to everybody for being an important part of my great life!”
Funeral services will be held at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel 21 Main St. Sidney, on Sunday, May 27. The service will consist of Family Visitation from 10 a.m. to noon. Memorial services will follow at noon. The service will conclude at graveside in Yaleville Cemetery behind the Wade Homestead.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Chenango County Hospice, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, New York 13815 or BG Dollars for Scholars at 43 Greenlawn Ave., Bainbridge, New York 13733.