Paul Joseph Clifford

Paul Joseph Clifford left this earthly world unexpectedly and too soon on September 20, 2022 at the age of 79, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on November 3, 1942 in Teaneck, NJ to Cecilia Marie Schafer and Paul Joseph Clifford Sr. The eldest of six children, he grew up in Ridgewood, NJ. Dubbed “Butch” by the milkman of the era, the nickname stuck and is still used by his family. He attended elementary school (Our Lady of Mt. Carmel) and high school (Don Bosco Prep) in Bergen County and then graduated from Seton Hall University with a BA in Liberal Arts in 1964.

His career in the insurance industry spanned over 44 years beginning with his first post-college job at Chubb Corporation in New York City. He was later transferred to Seattle, WA and then to Texas where he made Dallas his home and raised his family. He retired from Innovative Risk Management in 2008. In retirement, Paul volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, tinkered on race cars and enjoyed reading (especially histories, biographies and memoirs) and working in the yard. Things dear to his heart were grandchildren, any time spent with family, taking his kids to breakfast/lunch (shout out to Chubby’s on NW Highway), pets (he had many over the years), and all things NASCAR. He also enjoyed reminiscing about playing on the Lake Highlands Red recreational soccer team into his 50s.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 42 years, Mary (DeShaw), his four children and nine grandchildren. His children and grandchildren include: Joe (Paul Joseph III) Clifford & his wife Rhonda of Dallas, TX & their 2 children, Nicole and Jake; Christine Scott & her husband Kirk of Dallas, TX & their 4 children, Paul, Will, Mason & Nina; Brian Clifford & his wife Helen of Forney, TX & their 3 children, Francis, Charles & Theodore; and Brittany Clifford & her fiancé Kristofer Cook of Farmer’s Branch, TX.  Also surviving are his siblings: Josephine Higgins of Woodcliff Lake, NJ; Betty Rubackin of Sarasoto, FL; Peter Clifford (Donna) of New Milford, NJ; Mary Welfel, and Ann McGough, both from Sarasoto, FL. Paul was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers-in-law, Joseph Higgins and Glenn Welfel.

Private inurnment will be at St Joseph’s Catholic Church Columbarium, Richardson, TX on October 29, 2022. A Celebration of Life for Paul will be held for close family and friends later that day, a day originally planned to be an 80^th birthday celebration.

If considering a memorial gift, please remember Habitat for Humanity, the American Stroke Foundation (americanstroke.org) or Sharing Life Community Outreach (sharing.life/donate).