Madawaska--- Clifford Donald Madore, age 92, passed away on April 5th, 2023 at the High View Manor Health Care Facility.  He was born in Madawaska, Maine on May 26, 1930.  He was the eldest of six children of Aurel and Lourdes (Pelletier) Madore.

Cliff was raised in Madawaska and attended schools there.  Upon high school graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force serving as an Air Police Officer which included a two-year tour in England.  Upon completion of his military obligation, he enrolled at UMFK and later transferred to UMO and earned a B.S. in Education.  While at UMFK, he met his future wife, Bev, (unbeknownst to him).  He then accepted a position as a Physical Education teacher and Coach, at Fort Kent HS.  After four and a half years in education, he accepted a position as a US Customs Officer.  In 1963, he accepted an assignment to Vientiane, Laos with his wife and three young children in tow.  While in Laos their family grew to include a new baby daughter, Karen.  In 1965, Cliff requested and was granted assignment to the Port of Entry in Madawaska, ME where he served as a US Customs Inspector until his retirement in 1989.

Cliff was a lifelong sports enthusiast.  He was an accomplished athlete who excelled in a variety of sports, yet his first love was the sport of basketball in which he was a phenomenal player and coach.  His love of sports and competition culminated when he became an ambassador for the introduction of Pickleball to the St. John Valley communities of Edmunston, NB and Madawaska.

Cliff is best remembered as a true servant-leader in his role as father, husband, and son.  Both he and his wife, Bev, were often found on a dance floor showing their grace and joy for a good jive or jitterbug.  They were the epitome of teamwork as they imparted to their family and friends a love for community and serving others.  Cliff was a devoted supporter of the military and veterans which was reflected in his long membership in the American Legion, Thomas O. Cyr, Post 147 in Madawaska.  Throughout their lives, Cliff and Bev enjoyed travel together.  They later spent many winters in Arizona visiting their son Dan and his family, making many new friends at their retirement community where they ultimately caught the Pickleball bug.

Cliff is survived by his wife of 66 years, Beverly (Fournier) Madore, daughters Debbie and her wife Dionne, Kim and her husband Scott Martin, his son Dan, and Karen and her husband Jeff Driggers.  Three granddaughters, Rachel (Madore) Romaniuk and her husband Marcus, Kayla Madore, and Siara Martin.  He was predeceased by his parents as well as his siblings Claire Pelletier, Joan Senechal, Eileen Madore, Jimmy Madore, and Danny Madore.  He was also predeceased by his daughter-in-law Laurie (Rousse) Madore.  He is fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews who viewed him as the Madore family patriarch.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, in Madawaska, ME, on Friday, April 14, 2023 at 10:00 AM.  Visiting hours will be from 4:00-7:00pm on April 13th, 2023 at Lajoie Funeral Home in Madawaska, ME.  A Celebration of Life and internment at the National Veterans Cemetery in Caribou, ME will take place at a later date once arrangements have been made.

The family is grateful to the High View Rehab and Nursing Center staff and caregivers who lovingly cared for Cliff the last 20 months of his life.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Activity Fund at High View Rehab and Nursing Center, 517 Riverview Street, Madawaska, ME 04756.

To view a livestream of Mr. Madore's funeral service, please visit https://boxcast.tv/view/clifford-d-madore-funeral-lio8nqes6yxwwynjwt3l