Clifford, Peter
August 19, 2010A proud Ballydesmond man who never forgot his native Foyle and made numerous trips home in the six decades that he lived in England passed away after a short illness.
Peter Clifford was born on October 16, 1926 and was the second youngest of a family of five. Having completed his leaving certificate, he first started his long involvement in lorry driving and brought his own at the first opportunity.
As the economic climate was harsh in Ireland, like so many before and after him, he went to England in 1948 and settled in Kilburn, which was alive to the sound of Irish accents and customs. He met Anne (Rooney) and they married on April 4, 1953, in Quex Road Church in Kilburn.
Peter and Anne had five children, Margaret, Bernadette, Peter, Tim and Siobhan.
Peter worked for a time in construction and then worked for a time for McNicholas company which then separated and became the 'green' and 'brown'. He continued to work until he purchased his first lorry. He worked as a owner driver for many years until Clifford Devlin Transport Limited was officially formed in March 1962.
He started the business with his then partner Foncie Devlin. In 1969 Foncie returned to his native Strabane, leaving Peter to continued the business- which he expanded into the demolition as well as haulage sectors. The firm initially operated from a yard in Kentish town, and then moved to the Highway, Stepney in East London in 1972. In 1989 the business was once again on the move, this time to a much larger premises in Bow in East London. He went to work every day at Bow until his retirement in 2003 at the age of 76.
When Peter retired the company employed more than 70 employees and shortly after his retirement the firm reached a very proud pinnacle as it was selected as one of the Tier 2 contractors, which were selected to carry out the demolition and enabling work at the Olympic Park for the London 2012 Olympics.
Despite spending 62 years in England, he returned to his native Foyle every year and frequently met his nearest neighbours the Buckley's and Angland's. Peter always brought along his entire family for the family visits home.
His homeland is still tended by his nephew following the death of his brother Eddie in 1999. Peter has an older sister Nora, who lives in Kiskeam, and his youngest brother Tim made New York his home many years ago. His brothers Eddie and Johnnie died in 1999 and 2006.
Although Peter was not actively involved with the GAA he followed Corks results closely, especially the hurling scores. He is remembered fondly by his wife Anne, children Margaret, Bernadette, Peter, Tim and Siobhan, son-in-law Leslie, daughters-in-law Mary and Jacki, his thirteen grand children, one great grand daughter and a wide circle of family, friends and colleagues from the demolition industry.
Peter Clifford passed away on Tuesday August 10 after a short illness. His funeral mass took place at The English Martyrs RC Church, Chalkhill Road, Wembley, Middlesex, on Thursday August 19. He was buried at Hendon Cemetery, Holders Hill Road, London after mass.
Courtesy of the Corkman
August 19th 2010 Tweet
