Clifford Henry Hollander

Clifford Henry Hollander Following a courageous battle with cancer, Clifford Hollander passed away peacefully September 27th at the Modesto home he shared with Rosanna, his wife of 66 years. Clifford was born in Denison, Iowa on September 13th, 1920. He joined the Navy in 1938 upon graduation from High School in Pipestone, MN. In just over four years he rose to the rank of Chief Petty Officer and was commissioned a year later. At the outbreak of WWII, he was selected for the staff of Admiral Ernest J. King, FDR's Commander-in-Chief of all Naval forces. This brought him to Washington, DC, where he would meet and marry a beautiful young lady from McAlester, OK. After 20 years of active service and 10 years in the Fleet Reserve, he retired as a "Mustang" officer. In 1986 he retired from Bethlehem Steel, Shipbuilding Division, San Francisco. They moved to Modesto in 1991, after 35 years in Pacifica. Clifford was a voracious reader. He especially loved history and often wrote history-related articles for various publications. He was a past President of the Fleet Reserve Association, the Binnacle Club, San Francisco, the Pacifica Historical Society and Secretary-Treasurer of the Western Shipbuilding Association. He was a member of The American Legion, Retired Military Officers Association and The Veterans of Foreign Wars. "Cliff," as he was known to his friends, was also a past member of the Pacifica Moose Lodge, The Good Shepherd Holy Name Society, The USS Cincinnati Reunion Association, the USS Sarita Reunion Association and The US Naval Institute. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus where he was past Grand Knight of the Marian Council 3773 and three-time Knight of the Year. As a knight, he co-authored "The Story of a Parish Priest," a biography of Fr. Adelbert Gluszek, his then-Parish Priest in Pacifica, commemorating his 60th year in the priesthood and his plight in Poland during WWII. Proceeds from the book helped pay for the statue of "The Good Shepherd" still greeting visitors at the entrance to the Pacifica parish of the same name. In addition to his wife, Rosanna, Clifford is survived by their eight children: Shirley Johnson of La Honda, Sharon Hollander of London, Douglas Hollander (Coni) of San Mateo, Stephen Hollander of Vacaville, Thomas Hollander (Denise) of San Diego, Paula Hollander of Turlock, Rita Grodt of Modesto and Alisa Hollander of San Bruno. Nine grandchildren include Michelle, John, Christina, Seth, Sarah, Scott, Jason, Megan and Travis; four great-grandchildren: Bria, Keyana, Kayla and Elijah; a sister, Shirley (Bob) Wuerth in Arlington Heights, Il; a sister, Joanne Petersen of Midland, TX; a sister, Lucille (Tom) Sheehan of Omaha, Nebraska and a former son-in-law, fellow Knight and family friend, Michael Grodt. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Larry Johnson; his brother-in-law, Ed Peterson; his mother, Clara; his father, Henry; his stepmother, Ella; his brother, Jack; and his stepbrother, Sonny Duckworth. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather; a devout Catholic; a patriot; a veteran and a friend to all he met. He will be missed by all he touched. Visitation: Sunday October 5th, 3PM to 8PM, Franklin & Downs Chapel, 1050 McHenry Blvd. at Palm, Modesto, 209-529-5723. Rosary: Sunday, October 5th, 4PM. Franklin & Downs Chapel, 1050 McHenry Blvd. at Palm, Modesto. 209-529-5723. Mass: Monday, October 6th, 9:30AM. St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1813 Oakdale Road, Modesto, 209-551-4973. Reception to follow at St. Joseph's Hall. Committal: Tuesday, October 7th at 11AM Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery 1500 Mission Road, Colma, CA (650) 756-2060 Reception to follow in San Mateo.