Clifton V, "Cliff" LaRock

Clifton V. LaRock (Cliff), 90, of Main Street in Westport, New York passed away on August 7, 2020 at Elderwood Nursing Home in Ticonderoga, New York. After fighting a lengthy illness, Cliff’s fight was over and he passed on with his loving wife of 69 years and his supportive family by his side as he was welcomed into the arms of His Savior where he can now have comfort and peace.
Cliff, son of Roy and Verna (LaVigne) LaRock was born in Morrisonville, NY on April 14, 1930. Cliff enjoyed a joyous childhood growing up with his brothers Francis and Lawrence and his sisters Bernice and Charlotte. Cliff was predeceased by his mother Verna in 1969, his father Roy in 1977, Francis in 2005, Lawrence in 2009, and Charlotte in 2015. Cliff is survived by his wife Alice (Welch) who were married on August 7, 1951 and ended their years together on August 7, 2020. They lived in Westport for their entire married life. He and Alice had three children, Marlene (James) Westover, Catherine (William) McMahon, and Donald (Jodi) LaRock. Their house was filled with love and laughter sharing moments with their children, grandchildren including Nicole (Ben) Sudduth, Brian (Christine) Westover, Marcie LaRock, Timothy LaRock, and great-grandchildren Mallory (Dmitry) Ermakov, Megan Sudduth, Sawyer Graham, Peyton Graham, Alexandria Westover, and Ian Westover. Cliff is also survived by his sister Bernice (Kenneth) Anderson, a sister-in-law Ann Jean (Lawrence) LaRock, and many nieces and nephews who share in the loss of Cliff.
Cliff worked as a carpenter, drywall finisher, and worked with his brother Lawrence on many jobs taping walls and spraying ceilings throughout upstate New York. He worked at Republic Steel early in his life and at International Paper. Besides keeping his lawn and property beautiful he prided himself on his garden where he grew vegetables and became a master canner of his garden output.
Cliff proudly serviced his country from 1950 to 1953 in his beloved United States Marine Corps (Semper Fi Cliff). After his honorable discharge he returned to upstate New York and continued his involvement in many organizations in the region including the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, a 4th degree Knight and member of the Knight’s of Columbus, served as Commander of Lasher-Still Post of the American Legion for 17 years, supported and was involved in the Disabled American Veterans, the Marine Corps League, and Champlain Leathernecks. Cliff is fondly remembered for his egg deliveries throughout the region, selling raffle tickets for multiple organizations, supporting the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Campaign, for playing bingo and casino slots, watching his beloved Yankees, and the large family dinners where he frequently cooked his favorite meals for his family.
The family would like to say thank you to the Westport Emergency Squad, the Elizabethtown Community Hospital staff at Ticonderoga, Glens Falls Hospital staff, and especially to the Elderwood Nursing Home staff for their kindness, love, and support shown to Cliff during his illness. Sometimes it is not the “big” things that make the difference in the quality of our life as much as the small acts of kindness
Cliff had a deep love of God, family, fellow, and country. His family and friends will miss him dearly. The memories we are left with will keep him close to our hearts and remember him as we journey forward without him.
A Time for Remembrance will be held at the St. Phillip Neri Catholic Church in Westport from 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 26 followed by a private family mass. Donations may be made to the Westport Emergency Squad, the Westport SPCA, or Marine Corps Toys for Tots. Arrangements have been entrusted to Heald Funeral Home in Elizabethtown.