With heavy hearts the family of Clifford Gordon Tipping, of Castlegar, wishes to announce his passing at the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital on October 6, 2015, blessed with 88 years of life.
Cliff was born in Nelson BC on October 3, 1927 to parents Nellie and Roy Tipping. His working life started early, when as teenager he delivered milk for his parents. Cliff went on to work for Kootenay Forest Products and then went on to having a rock crushing business and the Tip Inn Motel. The vast portion of his working life was spent as a tug boat operator at Celgar.
Cliff loved the outdoors and spent much of his time fishing, camping, hunting and boating on the Arrow Lakes on their houseboat, Tippy’s Tub. His passion was spending time with his family and friends. Cliff’s absolutely greatest passion was playing cribbage, he never declined a game and after playing an amazingly huge number of games, he was proud to have had a “29” hand 3 times. He very much enjoyed collecting firewood and keeping his wood stove stoked, when not wintering in Arizona (snowbirds). Cliff loved making wine and having happy hour, where “everybody danced with a pink lady”
He was predeceased by his loving wife Dorothy on February 16, 2014; his son Roy in 1975; his sister Irene Conroy in 2010 and his brother-in-law Ed Conroy in 2013.
Left to mourn his loss are his daughters Susan (Gord) McCartney, Cindy (Frank) Shlakoff and Patti (Ian) Hill; his son Kim Tipping; 10 grandchildren; 4 step-grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 7 step-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and a very large circle of friends.
Cremation has taken place in care of Castlegar Funeral Chapel.
An Open House will be held at the Kinnaird Hall on Saturday, October 17, 2015 from 2pm-4pm.
Donations in Cliff’s Memory may be made to the Royal Canadian Legion, Castlegar Branch, 248 Columbia Avenue, Castlegar BC V1N 1G4.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Edge, to the 3rd floor nursing staff and to the house-keeping staff of the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital.