CLIFFORD PIERI

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CLIFFORD PIERI Peacefully, after a very lengthy illness, Clifford Gordon Pieri died in Calgary on Sunday, October 21, 2018. He was at home, surrounded by his family. Cliff was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on April 29, 1945. Cliff had a happy childhood filled with great memories of family and friends. He attended Daniel McIntyre Collegiate and upon graduation earned a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Manitoba. (However many in the family wondered if he should have also been given Honorary Degrees in poker and bridge playing while at school.) There, he met his wife, Sandra, whom he would later marry in 1970. Immediately after university, Cliff joined the Royal Bank of Canada where he had an adventurous 35 year career. Starting out in Montreal, Cliff's RBC career took him to Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, Brandon, and then eventually back to Winnipeg where he retired at the age of 57. Over those 35 years Cliff cherished the many friendships he had formed, and fondly recalled many of his roles including his days serving as a bank inspector. He even was fortunate enough to travel to the north to Yellowknife, Iqualuit and Arviat with the bank. While being a career banker took up much of his time, Cliff very much believed in giving back. Volunteerism was a core value for Cliff and he served on a number of boards including Central United Church in Brandon, and Westminster and Knox United Churches in Winnipeg. He also was a longstanding Member of the Board at the Fred Douglas Society which provides supportive living for seniors. And finally, Cliff was very much involved in the activities important to his family, and he served as a Scout leader for 10 years, enjoying the camping trips with the boys, his fellow leaders, and his son. Of course no memories of Cliff would even be remotely complete without thinking about family. Family came first for Cliff and he was so proud of his two children, Jennifer and John. The family adventures were endless: road tripping across the country with camping gear in the trunk, the big family trip to England and Scotland, summers jumping off the dock at Burntside Lake, weekend skiing trips to Spruce Woods or Grand Beach, relaxing in the fall around Osoyoos Lake. Cliff was truly happiest when his family was by his side. He was also (mostly) happy with a golf club in his hand, and he looked forward to golfing with his friends and family at both Teulon Golf Club and Breezy Bend. At the time of his passing, Cliff is survived by his wife Sandra, of 48 years; his daughter Jennifer and husband Hubert Marr, and their two children, Megan and Gregory; his son John and wife Susan, and their two children, Samantha and Steven. He is also survived by his dear sister Beverly Pieri, and her two children, Brenda and Geoffrey. His sister-in-law Cathy, with whom he shared a special bond, and her husband John Aitken also mourn his passing. While Cliff will be sorely missed, the lasting impact he made on our lives will be forever felt. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 03, 2018