Clifford J. Speck
Clifford J. Speck, 88, a retired hazardous materials transportation specialist for New York State, died at UPMC Chautauqua on Nov. 18, 2020. He is survived by his wife, Beverly (Dunn) Speck; children Deborah (the late Donn) Blackley, Susan Speck and Shelly (Bruce) Airgood; son of the late Frank and Frieda (Ashworth) Speck; grandson of the late Fred Charles (Carrie) Speck and Arthur (Emilie) Ashworth.
Mr. Speck was born Nov. 13, 1932, in Flint, Mich., and was named after his father’s car racing partner, Clifford Durant. As a child his family moved to Ransomville, N.Y. After playing football at Wilson High School, he married his wife in April 1953 and served in the U.S. Naval military police. He was also an officer in the Lapeer, Michigan Sheriff’s Department and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University at Buffalo. He raised his daughters in Wilson, N.Y., before moving to Chautauqua County in the mid 1970s.
In his later years, he continued to enjoy working on all kinds of vehicles in his garage, watching the Bills and any-thing to do with racing and keeping a fire going on the porch he built. He will be remembered as an irreplaceable husband, father and grandfather who al-ways took care of his fami-ly.
Besides his wife and children, he is survived by three siblings: Barb Crannick, Judy (Ron) Ball and Frank (Joy) Speck. He was the loving grandfather to Clifford (Gail) Lilley, Jason Speck, Joel (Katie) Speck, Keith (Mehwish) Blackley, Kerry (Kevin) Airgood and Rebecca Blackley. He was the great-grandfather of Caitlin Lilley, Jackson Lil-ley, Kevin Carl Airgood and Tessa and Stephen Speck.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, 665 Elm St., Buffalo, NY 14203 or a charity of choice.
You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.