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Clifford Langille Smith VICKERY

Clifford Langille Smith VICKERY obituary, Toronto, ON

Clifford VICKERY Obituary

CLIFFORD LANGILLE SMITH VICKERYOur beloved son Clifford Langille Smith Vickery took his own life on February 23, 2021. He was a gentle, quiet young man - a math tutor who was proud of his Nova Scotia roots, who loved taking photographs, playing guitar and sharing good times over a big lobster dinner. He didn't leave a note. However, we know Cliff would want to be remembered as a guy who loved his sister Laura and her husband Sean, and parents Florence and Claude. He'd want to be remembered as a guy who fought the good fight against diabetes and mental illness for more than two years. He did his best. As a family, we fought side by side with him. We know that Cliff would want to thank the good, kind folks at CAMH, Mt. Sinai and Medcan who tried so hard to make it all right. He'd want to give one last hug to our family dogs - Sydney, Bailey and Benny. Cliff would ask that you remember him in happier times - the intense little league pitcher, dogged defenseman, clutch soccer goalie and first class snowboarder. He'd want you to remember that happy-go-lucky kid with the cool skateboard ramps and the street hockey nets in front of the house in Bennington Heights. Fond friends from the old days: Jay, Alex, Dusty, Max, Ryan, Charlie A, Erin, Aida and Ed to name a few. He'd like his Nova Scotia cousins, aunts and uncles to remember his love of the family cottage at Amherst Shore - playing cards with his Grammy - teasing her constantly and beating her at bridge - winning a gold medal in the Mini Olympics - bleaching his hair blonde and playing golf with his dad ( no matter how bad the weather ) Cliff attended Leaside High in Toronto, SOLA, then Carleton University in Ottawa graduating with an Honors BA Economics. He often spoke warmly of his good friends from University - Syd - Wilder - Ben - Luc and Gavin. We used to tease Cliff about the frigid winters in Ottawa but he loved the city. He delighted in taking quirky photographs of Ottawa and sharing them on social media. In warm weather Cliff's passion was recreational soccer and golf. During summer holidays Cliff and his dad played many memorable rounds of golf together at Northumberland Links and the Amherst Golf Club in Nova Scotia. Cliff had a keen competitive streak. Nothing pleased him more than being able to beat his dad. In recent years Cliff never lost his fascination with markets and economics. He was a student of the stock market from an early age and a skilled stock picker. He liked to analyze the markets and debate unconventional economic theories with his mom. Truth be told, he understood the Bitcoin phenomena years before the rest of us. The last two years were increasingly challenging for Cliff. Serious complications from diabetes and mental health issues slowly took hold of Clifford and finally overwhelmed him. We loved our sweet boy dearly and will miss him always. Gone at the age of 32. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Nova Scotia. Please consider a donation in his name to CAMH in Toronto. And please give your kid a hug today - or reach out to someone going through a tough time - Cliff would like that. Here is the link to CAMH. https://give.camh.ca/site/Donation2?df_id=2466&2466.donation=form1

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

Published by The Globe and Mail from Apr. 3 to Apr. 7, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Clifford VICKERY

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20 Entries

Cassie

May 1, 2021

I lived with Cliff for a few months in Ottawa. Playing cards and cracking jokes, Cliff loved sharing stories and laughs with friends. We fought like siblings, but by the end of the summer, we were all sad to leave. He had a vibrant soul and an easy smile. Thank you for sharing Cliff's story and these beautiful memories.

Linda, Michael, Daniel, Kevin Browne

April 14, 2021

Florence and Claude thank you for being so honest about what happened. It will help many people to become more sensitive and aware even if we can't change the course of events. We feel so deeply for you and your loss. Take good care of yourselves.

Pilar Chapman

April 11, 2021

Dearest Florence, Claude, Laura & family ,

A beautiful and tender tribute to Clifford. Sending you all love and strength.

Dianne & Graham Evanoff

April 8, 2021

Dear Florence & Claude:

What a beautiful tribute to a son you loved so much. Our hearts break at your family's loss, but we're sure there's a small measure of comfort in knowing that Cliff is no longer in pain. Reading about his life shows us that you have many, many warm memories to hold onto during this difficult time. May dear Cliff rest in peace and may God bless his soul.

Kelly Crichton

April 8, 2021

My heart goes out to you. What a tragedy. Reading what you have written about him, it’s clear he was a special person who was dearly loved. I only hope you can take comfort from that. My sincere condolences. Kelly

Janet

April 8, 2021

Clifford was such a smart and funny person. Helping look after him and Laura when I was younger was amazing. They always made me feel special and loved when I was depressed and often felt like no one else in the world liked spending time with me. Thanks for always making me laugh, Cliff. All my love to Laura Aunty Florence and Uncle Claude. He will be so missed:(

Ben Scriver

April 8, 2021

One of the most "audacious", keen, confident, spontaneous, humorous, intelligent, "deece"-nt human beings I'll ever know. Stir it up up there buddy, missing you big time.

Phil

April 7, 2021

How you doing brother. Opening days and first pitches are being thrown. Hit a bucket at the range today and my swing was on point which was a surprise, still not as easy as you would make it look but a close second. Not the best with words but you know that lol, you got the brains on the Male end of the fam. Going to keep cheering for the Pat's as I know u will to, saw that Tampa #12 you were sporting best ever qb. I know your in a better place now, this world is a rough unfair place. So many memories you have left me with that I will hold close. Give mom and gram a big hug for me. I'll keep your flame burning down here. Until we can fly high togeather keep your stick on the ice and your head up. Love you cuz .

Judith Cockman

April 5, 2021

Dear Florence and Claude, Laura and Sean, from our family to yours - we plant 10 life-giving trees in uplifting memory of your precious son and Dusty's dear friend of their youth. Our hearts break. Thank you for your eloquent and deeply meaningful obituary. Such courage, all of you. We send you much, much love and daily prayers. Blessings, sweet Clifford!
Judith Dustin Jaren Kalen Jora

Sue Shannon

April 5, 2021

I did not know Cliff nor his family....but it is very clear he was loved. A beautiful obituary.

Cailey Heaps

April 4, 2021

My thoughts are with you Florence, Claude & Family. I hope your many happy memories of Clifford sustain you in the coming days, weeks, months & years. Sending love.
Cailey & Family

Christopher Mitchell

April 4, 2021

I was fortunate enough to be close with Cliff in high school, and I’ll always cherish the time we spent together and the laughs we shared. I always loved that Cliff was always so uniquely himself. He was like no one else in the best kind of way.

Never a boring moment, either. Always a second away from a passionate conversation on which Cliff would always have a definite view. I loved that about him.

I send my deepest condolences.

Christopher Mitchell

April 4, 2021

I was fortunate enough to be close with Cliff in high school, and I’ll always cherish the time we spent together and the laughs we shared. I always loved that Cliff was always so uniquely himself. He was like no one else in the best kind of way.

Never a boring moment, either. Always a second away from a passionate conversation on which Cliff would always have a definite view. I loved that about him.

I send my deepest condolences.

Bob culbert

April 4, 2021

So sorry to hear this news. We did not know Cliff but know his parents. He sounds like a wonderful, accomplished young man. Our Deepest Sympathies.
Christine and Bob Culbert.

Merran Christie and Steve Cloutier

April 3, 2021

Clifford’s gentle kindness and wry smile will be remembered always by your Amherst Shore friends and neighbours. Our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.

s. king

April 3, 2021

To the Vickerys,
I don't know your family, nor did I know your son, but I read your touching tribute today and was moved to both donate to CAMH and to hug my son. It must be so difficult to lose someone so loved so unexpectedly. Your love for him and understanding of him is so evident in every word written. So kind of you to mention those important people who touched his life. If nothing else, you have reminded me not to lose track what is most cherished and I thank you. I am so sorry for your loss, but thank you for your beautiful message.

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Judith Dustin Jaren Kalen Jora

Planted Trees

Gerry Ryley

April 3, 2021

Dear Claude and Florence,

My wife Vicki and I are saddened at hearing from Tom of the passing of Clifford.

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Our thoughts and prayers and the love of God are with you both and your family at this difficult time.


Gerald Ryley & Vicki Duguay

Mike Hutton

April 3, 2021

I knew Cliff for a few years here in Ottawa -- lost touch a year or so ago. He talked of his struggles with diabetes and I was impressed with his efforts to manage the disease. He never spoke of his struggles with mental illness, though in retrospect I can remember moments when he seemed to be in some pain. I was happy to spend time with him as he practiced his driving in my car (as in the photo) -- we had some good conversations and times together. He was a lovely young man.

Paul Davidson

April 3, 2021

Thank you for sharing your son’s story and your heartache at his passing. Thank you for capturing his vitality and remembering more joy filled moments. I did not know your son or your family, but our family endured a decades-long mental health struggle. The shortcomings of available care and the relentlessness of the disease are enraging. You are not alone. May you find solace as the grief unfolds.

Showing 1 - 20 of 20 results

Memorial Events
for Clifford VICKERY

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