Clifford N. Sparks

Clifford Sparks Obituary

WHITEHALL, N.Y. - Clifford N. Sparks, 76, owner of Skene Valley Country Club, passed away Sunday, September 9, 2012, at home with his family by his side, after a long battle with lung disease.

Born on October 6, 1935, in Niagara Falls, N.Y., he was the son of the late Gladys and George Sparks. Cliff graduated from Niagara Falls High School and Alfred State University with a degree of Associate in Applied Science.

He married his childhood friend and high school sweetheart, Patricia Ann Thomas, in 1955 in Niagara Falls, N.Y. After their marriage, they moved to Fair Haven, Vt., where Cliff worked as a cattle artificial inseminator. In 1960, Cliff and Pat bought a dairy farm in Whitehall, N.Y. Cliff eventually turned his farm into an 18-hole golf course.

Cliff was a member of the BPOE Elks Lodge #1491. He enjoyed spending the winter months in Lake Suzy, Fla. He was an avid golfer and hunter. Some of his favorite pastimes were playing in the annual Bigfoot Golf Tournament with his grandsons and hosting an annual fishing derby for his grandchildren. Cliff enjoyed sitting and chatting with all the friends he made through the years of owning the course.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Patricia Sparks; his five children, Deborah Sharrow of Gansvoort, Cheryl (John) St.Clair of Whitehall, Dawn (Greg) Grenier of Whitehall, Jeffrey Sparks (Marcy Deyo) of Whitehall, Lori (Jeffrey) Seidel of Fairport, N.Y.; his 13 grandchildren, Matthew (Rachel) Waters of Granville, Rebecca Sharrow of Queensbury, Grant (Amanda) Sharrow of Granville, Travis (Jenna) St. Clair of Wilton, Lindsey St.Clair (Tyler Frakes) of Plattsburgh, Brittany St.Clair of Whitehall, Jennifer (Michael) Wolfe of South Glens Falls, Heather (Zachary) Owen of Hartsville, N.Y., Brandon Sparks (Matthew Lavin) of Whitehall, Allison Sparks of Whitehall, Jordan, Austen and Camryn Seidel of Fairport, N.Y.; his great-grandchildren, Mia and Ava Waters, Payton and Lucas Sharrow, Jonathon Frakes, Jordan and Bailee Wolfe; step-grandchildren, Justin, Jordan and Jennie Grenier, baby "Owen" Averi Ferguson; his brother, Ken and sister-in-law Suzy Sparks of Springfield, Va.; one nephew, Derrick Sparks, and niece, Stacy Brent.

Special thanks to Washington County Hospice and Dr. Diercksen.

Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at Jillson Funeral Home in Whitehall, N.Y.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, September 12, 2012, at 11 a.m. on the 18th hole at Skene Valley Country Club in Whitehall, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Arthritis Foundation, 1717 Central Ave., Suite 105, Albany, NY 12205; or Washington County Hospice, 415 Lower Main St., Hudson Falls, NY 12839.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Rutland Herald on Sep. 11, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Clifford Sparks

11 Entries

Ed Garrow

September 17, 2012

Dear Pat & Family:

Please accept our most sincere and heartfelt condolences in the loss of Cliff.

I was very saddened to hear of this news and I wanted to you folks to know how much I'll miss seeing him up there at the Golf course. His wonderful personality and great smile always made you feel welcome and an easy way about him in which to carry on a conversation. I know he loved his family and you could see that in his eyes whenever they were around him. He had a God given gift in how people were drawn to him and I always admired how he treated everyone with respect and compassion; he was a great guy and will be missed by everyone for sure.

May you find confort in knowing that others are thinking of you and praying for you during this difficult time...

In Sympathy & Friendship...

Wayne and Laurie Arnado

September 13, 2012

Pat and Family, We will always remember the many happy times with Cliff in the 19th hole! He was a beautiful person and he will be missed. Our blessings are with all of you.

September 13, 2012

Dear Pat:
I was very sorry to hear of Cliff's passing. He was a gentleman, and fun to be around.
Gary Gregorio

Joe & Dianne Surething

September 13, 2012

Pat and family, we are sorry for your loss. Cliff was a great man, who will be missed.

September 12, 2012

Pat and Children,
Bill & I are so sorry to hear about Cliffie, we wish you all peace and love.
Sandy & Bill Sulski ( Jack & Sue's friend from New jersey)

September 12, 2012

Pat & Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Cliff will be missed by so many. I'll miss interrupting his lunch, the big foot stories and that great sense of humor.

Deb Brosseau
Whitehall Times

Dick & Bobbi Adams

September 11, 2012

Pat,so sorry to hear of Cliff's passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

September 11, 2012

Pat and family
So sorry to read of Cliff's passing. He was my first employer all those yeas ago.
My sincere sympathy to all.
Camilla Patten Dente

Joby & Dave Mallory

September 11, 2012

Pat & Family, We were so sorry to hear of Cliff's passing. He will surely be missed by many. We will keep you & your family in our thoughts & prayers. May all your happy memories help you through this and sustain you. God Bless you and your family.

Mary & Kevin Grenier

September 11, 2012

Dawn & Greg and the Sparks family, your thoughts and prayers are with at this difficult time. Please call if there is anything we can do.

Marleen Cenate

September 11, 2012

Pat and family,
Our deepest sympathies to you and your family. Remember all the good times and let the memories get you through this difficult time. I am sure he and CJ are up there sharing stories and many laughs!
Take care!
Marleen and Marc Bates

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