It is with broken hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Cliff on July 30, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan at the age of 70 years.
Born in Thunder Bay, Ontario to Shirley and Cliff Sutherland, Chum was big brother to four sisters and grew up in Beardmore, Macdiarmid and Geraldton before making Dryden his home in 1970. He worked construction before going to trade school in 1973 as a linesman.
Dedicated father of three, Cliff was exceptionally proud of his children and their professional and artistic success. He would light up when showing off pictures of Troy’s latest work in vehicle upholstery, and proudly decorated their home in Krista’s beautiful artwork. Cliff spent the last sixteen years of his life with his “Princess”, Katherine Gamble who he stated many times that he wished they had met in his prime, and how fortunate he felt to be welcomed by her four children and the Wintle family; he was loved by all and played a big role at every occasion.
Cliff could always be found in his favourite places; on the water, at work, scouting for blueberries, visiting with his many friends, in front of the television watching sports, hunting, or fishing programs. Cliff was very competitive and an outstanding athlete in his younger years, playing commercial hockey, golf, skiing, baseball and even ran the Manitoba 26-mile marathon!
He was an outdoorsman; enjoyed hunting, and was an excellent fisherman, having an early start on his family’s commercial fishing boat on Lake Nipigon growing up. He was proud of his volunteer work with “Angler-young-Angler”, coaching hockey in his sons’ leagues, and his Pro Staff with St. Croix. He was first place champ at the Walleye Masters in 2004 with his good friend Slivy and was always competitive in tournaments.
Throughout his career, Cliff was a committed employee to Hydro One where he worked for over 40 years as a linesman, taking every opportunity to work trouble calls or overtime. He retired in 2010, only to return to work the following Monday as a Seasonal Data Collector with the hiring hall with his good friend Smitty. In 2013 he would spend the next three years working for SNC Lavalin in Alberta as a Senior Tech Advisor, where he and Katherine enjoyed many visits and weekends exploring Jasper and Banff. Cliff loved to travel. For his 65th birthday, Cliff received a trip from Katherine that was high on his bucket list; a 5-star salmon fishing excursion to the West Coast where they had the time of their lives.
In 2016, he returned to work for PWU Hiring Hall in Thunder Bay, where he spent time with his youngest sister Donna and family. He loved to stop in and visit his mom in Beardmore and collect the tin of goodies she always had prepared for him. He missed his frequent calls from his Mom after her passing last June.
The last three years with PWU were spent in Southern Ontario, most recently Chatham, where he would happily take Katherine to the best local shops and quilt stores while they continued their adventures during her visits. No matter where they went, Cliff would have a crowd of people around him as he told his stories with his infectious laugh and powerful voice.
Cliff loved to go for drives and keep an eye on the power lines, looking for any sign of trouble that needed tending to, while always keeping a free right hand to wave at anyone who he knew as he passed. His compassion had a far reach and made everyone feel welcome. He loved sharing life stories to anyone who’d listen, better yet if he could take you fishing to create new ones. He took interest in peoples lives and made genuine connections, leaving an impression on everyone that came into his life. He had a talent of making lifelong friends wherever he went, and he considered his Hydro buddies to be family.
Left to mourn, his partner Katherine, sons Tyler, Troy (Jackelynn), daughter Krista (Rachel) as well as “Nan” Shirley Wintle, Dustin (Lindsay), Sheena, Charlee (Matt), Josh (Shayna), eight grandchildren, his sisters Lorrie (Shawn), Carly, Janet (Lyle), Donna (Mark) as well as numerous nieces and nephews- he loved them all.
Cliff is predeceased by his parents, Clifford and Shirley Sutherland.
“May you be guided to the safe shore.”
“Many fish all their lives without knowing its not the fish they’re after. It’s the bucket full of memories.”
