Kevin C. Clifford

Kevin was born in Detroit, MI to Charles Daniel and Shirley (Conrad) Clifford.

Kevin relocated to the Upper Peninsula soon after graduating from Bishop Borgess High School in 1972. He was employed with Northern Michigan University for 34 years in the mechanical maintenance department as a plumber/pipefitter. It was at NMU where he met his wife, Kimberly. Together, they built a wonderful home and raised three daughters.

He had a great love of the outdoors, spending many weekends maintaining his family cabin. He got tremendous joy out of helping others, truly someone you could depend on. He was forever loyal to the Detroit Lions, always stating, “they’ll get ’em next year!” at the end of each season.

Naturally gifted at creating a warm and welcome atmosphere, it wasn’t uncommon to find him with the lights dimmed as low as possible, music loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear, and cracking open a cold one.

Kevin’s legacy will live on through his surviving family, including his wife Kim, daughters, Kristine Clifford (Brandon Smith), Casey Clifford, and Molly (Nicholas) Black, and granddaughter, Birdie Black, all of Marquette, MI. He is also survived by his siblings, Diane (Thomas) O’Leary, Cheryl (Jack) Kaikkonen, Bruce (JoAnn) Clifford, Brian Clifford, Shelagh (Timothy) Balogh, Kimberly (Arthur) Carey, and Timothy Clifford (Lynnette Johnson); and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Gary Clifford.

The family would like to thank the Cancer Center at UP Health Systems, as well as UP Home Health and Hospice.

A celebration of life is planned for the near future.

Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting Kevin’s family where memories and condolences may be shared at canalefuneral.com.