Clifford Small

Clifford James Small passed away peacefully on December 2, 2024 at his residence He is survived by 9 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Milford and Lilian Small, sisters Muriel, Laura, Joyce, and Ruth, brothers Glenn, Alex, and Bunny.

Cliff grew up in Dauphin, and in the early days he established himself as a “doer,” tinkering, puttering, fixing. He had a love for cars, anything that had a motor. Early on he raced stock cars “always almost winning,” always a story, always eyes twinkling.

He made a career of working for the highways department, “good roads” read the decal on his hard hat. The Narrows causeway, the Shellmouth dam, and roads from Makinak to the Waterhen knew his footstep.

The Dauphin Senior Men’s Fastball League held a special place in his heart. He served as an organizer, as well as the player coach for the Molsons, coming out of the coaching box only when they needed the long ball. He made sure the league stayed strong insisting that quality pitchers like Bernie Basaraba, and Ernie Brezden were never stacked on one team. Molsons, Allards, and 7UP, are no more. Siggy, Shu, and Fitzy play Wednesdays on a field of memories. They still bring Small in to hit the long ball.

Tiger 10 no longer rumbles and roars

Clinging to the final curve

Before pouncing upon the straight away

It races silently now on the tracks of memory and story

And so it is with the leavings of giants

More so when it is the last one

Little boys and girls grow up

Super star uncles hold us forever

in special spaces of belonging

Each of us of us special with our own story

Our own space in their hearts

This circle now complete, with his joining the others

Table time

Cards, tea, teasing, and laughter

A family’s sojourn in this place complete

Perhaps a few may return

For some our time may beckon soon

For now at times, we may still be little boys and girls

Held softly by dogs named Rex

The first glimpse of the Lake’s Blue

And an uncle’s love so vast as to contain us all

Good bye Cliff

We love you

A funeral service was held for Clifford on Friday, June 20, 2025 at 11:00 am from the Sneath-Strilchuk Family Care Centre in Dauphin, MB

Interment followed in the Riverside Cemetery in Dauphin, MB.

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