Obituary of Mr. Clifford Cummings
Clifford Edward Cummings was born at The Salvation Army Grace Hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia on January 29, 1929 to Florence and Ambrose Cummings. The Cummings were Salvation Army officers who were stationed in Dartmouth, NS at the time of Cliff’s birth. During the first six years of his life they lived in Trenton, Rosemount Montreal and Sherbrooke before moving to Smith Falls where Cliff’s education started. There was a move to Maisonneuve after which they were transferred to Whitney Pier in 1939 where Cliff spent the next five years of his life. In 1944 the Cummings moved to Toronto and Cliff eventually graduated from East York Collegiate.
Cliff worked for Colgate-Palmolive for several years before he moved to Burroughs Business Machines, then Smith-Corona Typewriter Company where he spent 12 years. It was after his marriage to Jean he went to teacher’s college, started his teaching career in September 1966 and retired in June of 1994. During his teaching career Cliff became involved in the Scarborough Men Teachers Curling league, which ultimately became a retirees league known as the Venerables and at 90 years of age started curling for free!
Shortly after arriving in Toronto Cliff transferred to Danforth Citadel of The Salvation Army where he became actively involved in both the band and songster brigade eventually taking on the leadership of the junior band and becoming the deputy bandmaster under Bandmaster Victor Kingston. His banding career started in Whitney Pier February 1941when Cliff was in his early teens and he continued in Danforth/Agincourt bands for close to 80 years. After he turned 65 and retired from teaching Cliff joined the Metro-Toronto Reservist Band which eventually became Heritage Brass. Reading for the blind at the Canadian Blind Mission was a volunteer activity for over 15 years. He was also actively involved in the The Salvation Army Danforth hockey league in his late teens and twenties.
Cliff and Jean were married on July 4, 1953 and shortly afterwards moved into their home on North Bonnington Avenue. They were blessed with four children – Timothy Edward, Mark Ian, Deborah Jean and Jonathan Christopher. Because Cliff was a school teacher a decision was made to purchase a cottage on Joselin Lake – better known as Burnt Lake located south of Parry Sound where the family spent many happy years. Unfortunately Jean became ill with a brain tumour and was promoted to glory in 1987.
At the age of 60 Cliff entered into his second marriage to Shirley. After Cliff’s retirement a trip was made to the Maritimes to revisit places of interest where Cliff spent his early teen years. When Shirley retired a similar trip was made to British Columbia where Shirley spent her teen years. After 23 years the decision was made to move to a condo in Shepherd Village which was also located closer to Agincourt corps where they were both still very involved in the activities. Visits were made by the Heritage Brass to British Columbia, Newfoundland and Florida – wives usually travelled with their husbands. A visit to Oberammergau shortly after they were married and cruises to Hawaii, Alaska, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean were all part of their retirement. They were able to enjoy the ISB 120 celebrations in 2011 and The Salvation Army 150 years celebrations in 2015 – both in London, England.
Cliff will be fondly remembered by his wife Shirley, children Timothy, predeceased by Mark (Lynn), Deborah and Jonathan (Michele), grandchildren Louis Philippe, Martin Luc, Andrew, Meghan, Luke, Connie, Joshua and Jacob, great grandchildren Gabriel and Daphne, brother Donald (Doreen), nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
