Clifford L. Lundewall

Clifford L. Lundewall, 86, of Fishkill, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, NY, following a brief illness.

Born on Sept. 14, 1929 in Mineola, NY, he was the son of the late Ernest and Mildred (nee Conway) Lundewall.

Cliff is survived by his wife of 43 happy years, Anne L. Rogers Lundewall, to whom he was wed on April 1, 1972. Considering what a jokester Cliff was, Anne was very relieved he showed up that April Fool's Day. But, of course he did; he loved his Annie very much.

He is also survived by his step-daughter Karen Mosher and her husband Steven; his daughter-in-law Linda Beasimer; his grandchildren Jessica Teller and her husband Keith, Joseph G. Forte, and Steven Michael Mosher; his great-grandchildren Trinity Kara and Haven Forte; and his niece and nephews Diane Harris (of Jupiter, FL), Mark Lundewall, and Ernest Lundewall. Cliff was predeceased by his daughters Leslie A. Norris and Karen Lee Buckler, his step-son Bruce Beasimer, and his older brother Ernest Lundewall. Cliff graduated from Arlington High School in 1946. He wasn't sure if he wanted to work or go to college, so his Pop drove him to the Poughkeepsie Post Office and told him to pick an armed service. He joined the U.S. Army and was trained as a medic in Texas.

Following his military service, Cliff spent some time in California, selling pizzas on the beach and panning for gold, among other adventures. He eventually settled down and in the 1950s served as a Deputy for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. One of his proudest moments was using his medical training to help deliver a baby in a car on the side of the road.

Cliff moved back to Dutchess County in 1962 and worked in Procurement at IBM East Fishkill, where he met his sweetheart Anne. He retired in 1985 after 23 years of service.

Cliff will be forever remembered for his sense of humor, jovial personality, his love of "greasy spoons" and his eternal quest for the best diner spaghetti on the eastern seaboard.

Cliffy was a wonderful grandfather who leaves behind many happy memories: for his boy Joe, who adored traveling with his larger-than-life Poppy; Stevie, for the many weekends of bonfires and movies in Berlin; and his "Jess-a-cree" for their special breakfast dates.

Cliff loved animals and they returned his affections, even the nastiest Siamese cat to walk this earth, Chauncey. If all dogs do go to heaven, tails are wagging in the hereafter at Poppy's arrival, while he is missed in the here-and-now by his canine pals Silver and Lucy. The family wishes to thank the staff at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, fourth floor Respiratory Unit, from housekeeping to the techs and nurses, every one of you. We were truly overwhelmed by your kindness, dedication, and compassion, and cannot thank you enough for the loving care you provided to our beloved Cliff.

Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations may be made to the Dutchess County SPCA, 636 Violet Ave., Hyde Park, NY 12538.

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