Clifford W. DeForest, 91, of Darien passed away on May 2 at home surrounded by his loved ones.
Clifford DeForest, 91, passed away May 2. His wake will be on Sunday May 15, and his funeral the next day.
Clifford was born at Norwalk Hospital on Sept. 28, 1930. He was the son of John and Viola DeForest of New Canaan and graduated from New Canaan High School in 1948. He lived in New Canaan, and served as a special officer with the New Canaan Police Department before moving to Darien in 1951.
He was appointed to the Darien Police Department on Jan. 1, 1953 as a patrolman. In July 1964 he was promoted to sergeant. While with the department, he served as a patrol officer, desk and street sergeant, youth officer, training officer and court liaison officer. In the early 1970s he was assigned as a sergeant in the Detective Bureau until he retired on June 15, 1979, completing 26 ½ years of service with the department.
He was actively affiliated with many police and fraternal organizations. He is a lifelong member of the Darien Police Association, Police Association of Connecticut, Fairfield County Detectives Conference, Ivanhoe Lodge #107 AF & AM, past president (life member) Police Square Club of Connecticut, and Stamford Elks #899.
While working within the Police Department in June 1954, Cliff started as a pallbearer/driver for the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home. He worked for three generations of Lawrences and continued as a part-time employee for 68 years. He was a
director of Spring Grove Cemetery, and at the time of his death was the longest serving member on the board of directors.
He is survived by his loving life-partner of 38 years, Daryl Nevard. In his younger years, he loved traveling with her all over the globe. He is also survived by his daughter, Robyn Schatz, and her husband, Chris, of Souderton, Pennsylvania; his son, Richard DeForest, of Darien; Susan DeForest of Florida; and stepchildren, Andrea Tidrick, and her husband, Nick, of Darien; and Duncan Nevard of Fairfield. He cherished his seven grandchildren: Richard DeForest (Caitlin), Jen Palko (Mike), Nik Bertino, Matthew Alvarado, Xander Tidrick and William and Cora Nevard. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Marion; his sisters, Myrtle Raynor (Bert) and Ida DeForest; his brother, Kenneth DeForest (Peggy); daughter, Marcia DeForest; and son, Ronald DeForest.
His family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m., Sunday, May 15, at Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, in Darien. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 16, at Noroton Presbyterian Church. A private burial will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Darien Emergency Medical Services-Post 53, P. O. Box 2066, Darien, CT 06820