Clifford Rivet

Clifford N. Rivet, 95
WHITINSVILLE/AUBURN - Clifford N. Rivet, 95, passed away on Mon., July 9, 2012 at St. Vincent's Hospital, from complications due to pneumonia. Cliff was a resident of Auburn Life Care since April. He leaves his loving and devoted wife, Mary I. (Clapp) Fox Rivet, with whom he celebrated their 37th anniversary on July 2. They met while she was employed at Woolworth's in Whitinsville, prompting friends to claim that their song was "I Found a Million Dollar Baby (In a Five and Ten Cent Store)."
He was born in Lisbon, Maine on Dec. 10, 1916 and was the son of William A. and Melvina (Fortin) Rivet, and lived in Linwood and Whitinsville most of his life. He served proudly and honorably in the 86th Air Material Squadron of the U.S. Army during WWII, attaining the rank of Sergeant. He served in Battles and Campaigns in Italy (Naples, Foggia, Rome, and Arno) and Japan (Ryukyus Islands/Okinawa). He received a Good Conduct Medal and a Victory Medal for his contributions, along with ribbons for the American Theater Campaign, Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign, and the European, African, Eastern Theater Campaign. He was a proud member of the VFW and the American Legion.
Cliff attended Good Shepherd School and Northbridge schools. He was a long-time communicant of St. Patrick's Church in Whitinsville.
He retired from Whitin Machine Works after having worked there for 44 years. In retirement, he enjoyed spending time with family and watching his beloved Red Sox. A loving husband and grandfather, he would bury "treasures" in the woods behind their home and draw treasure maps to create adventure and lasting memories for his grandchildren. Never having owned a car or had a license, he was a familiar figure in Whitinsville, where he walked everywhere until he was slowed down by Parkinson's a few years ago. He also was an ardent supporter of Northbridge sports and was honored for being an "Outstanding Northbridge High School Fan in All Sports" in 1987. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his brother Henry and his wife Pat, of North Carolina; his sister-in-law Marie Rivet of Uxbridge; his step children, William Fox and his wife Juanita of Webster, Mary Beth Dawe of Whitinsville, Jean Dalbec of Leicester; his grandchildren, Jonathan Dawe of Whitinsville, Jolene Dawe of Oregon, Kevin Dawe of Worcester, and Emily and Zachary Dawe of Whitinsville; several great- and great-great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews, all of whom he was very fond. He was predeceased by his brother Wilfred, and sisters Eva Poitras and Alice Durand, his sons-in-law Joseph Dawe and Leo Dalbec, and a granddaughter Kimberly Dawe. The family would like to thank the staff at Auburn Life Care for the care and comfort they provided Cliff over the past few weeks, as well as the doctors, nurses and aides on 2 at St. Vincent's for the compassion and dignity they extended to Cliff during his brief illness.
His funeral will be held on Fri. July 13 from Jackman Funeral Home, 12 Spring St., Whitinsville with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Patrick's Church, 1 Cross St. Burial will follow with Military honors in St. Patrick's Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home are Thurs. July 12 from 5-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tri-Valley Inc., 10 Mill St., Dudley, MA 01571; Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of Greater Milford, 37 Birch Street, Milford, MA 01757; or St. Patrick's Building Fund, 1 Cross Street, Whitinsville, MA 01588.
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