Clifford F. Stamm, Sr., 95, a long-time resident of Newington, passed away peacefully on July 13, 2019, with his family at his side. Born on January 20, 1924 in Hartford, he was the son of the late Fred and Alice (Kalberer) Stamm. Married to Jane (Coulson) Stamm for 66 years, he was the love of her life. In 1928, his family moved to Newington, where at the age of four he was sent to school with his older brother Warren. Clifford “Skip”, had a work ethic instilled in him at a very young age. Those who knew him and worked with him would always hear him say “Do it once and do it right!” He began his working life by delivering special delivery letters before school and from the ages of 10 – 16 he delivered all (3) newspapers for the entire town of Newington. He also sold magazine subscriptions door to door and delivered them too. Skip loved school, never missing a day. In 1941, at the age of 17, Skip graduated from Newington High School. He was drafted in March of 1943 and was selected for OCS School at North Texas Teachers College. After completing 2 years of engineering in 6 months, he was called back to his unit as a Sargent-Tech-Driver. He sailed to England on the Queen Mary and joined the 648th Tank Destroyers in France and continued into Germany with General Patton to Dresden and Torgau, meeting up with the Russians in April 1945, where he guarded Field Marshal Goering during the Nuremberg War Trials. He was honorably discharged on April 1, 1946. In 1947, he joined the Newington Police Force of eight as a Supernumerary, serving until 1953. He also purchased a cable shovel and started his own business. A saying echoed around town: “In a Jam Call Stamm”. He joined the American Legion and became Commander in 1951. After being recalled to duty for the Korean War, Skip was forced to sell his equipment and wait for reassignment, it never came and in 1953 he again started his own company. On October 3rd, 1953 he married Jane and they started their life together in Newington. In August 1954, a daughter Suzan Jane was born and in March 1956, a son Clifford “Chip” Frederick followed. By 1958, he had saved the $1000 necessary to incorporate Stamm Construction Co. It was at this time that he brought in his father Fred and his brother Newell. The “In a Jam Call Stamm” logo was painted on all the vehicles and became a well-known sight around Newington and neighboring towns. Over the years the Stamm Construction Company helped to develop the Town of Newington as we know it today. In 1948, Skip became a Master Mason at Sequin Lodge No. 140 and in the spring of 1954, he became a 32nd degree mason and joined Sphinx Temple Lodge. In 1955, Skip joined the newly organized Sphinx Temple Motor Patrol, where he rose to president of the unit. In 1998, Skip was awarded the prestigious Pierpont Edwards Medal in Bronze for Distinguished Masonic Service. In 2018, he was awarded his 70 year membership pin from Sequin Lodge. His other civic activities include, coordinating the annual Newington Memorial Day Parade, Newington Chamber of Commerce, Home Builders Association, 100 Club, and Trustee of the Church of Christ Congregational, where a new Carillon was dedicated this past year. Skip wanted the town to enjoy the gift of music each and every day. Just another example of his many contributions to the town of Newington. In addition to his civic interests he also loved gardening. He so enjoyed planting seeds and bulbs and watching them grow, just as he did with the Town of Newington. A lifetime of service has earned him a special place in Newington’s history, and the love and respect of his friends, young and old. Besides his wife Jane, Skip is survived by his children, Suzan Stamm-Claytor and her Husband Harry Claytor of Estero, FL and Clifford F. Stamm II and his wife Cindy Stamm, his siblings, Phyllis Webster of MA, Eleanor Newton of FL, and Norma Venavage of VA; sister-in-law Barbara Stamm of VT and two grandchildren Anastasia (Stamm) Curtis and Alizandra Stamm. Besides his parents, Skip was predeceased by siblings Warren Stamm, Newell Stamm, Loraine Hoagland and Charles Stamm. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Tuesday, July 16th, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Newington Memorial Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington. His funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 17th at 11:00 a.m. directly at the Church of Christ, Congregational, 1075 Main St., Newington. He will be laid to rest with military honors following the service in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sequin-Level Lodge 140, 80 Walsh Ave., Newington, CT 06111. To share a memory or condolence, please visit us at www.duksa.net.
Newington Memorial Funeral Home
20 Bonair Avenue
Newington
06111
860-666-0600
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