Clifford James (Cliff) Gannon

CLIFFORD JAMES GANNON

August 1952 - July 2024

Clif J. Gannon, 71, died on July 27th, after a brief battle with lung cancer. Clif was born in Manhattan and raised in Shrub Oak, NY with his large Irish family. Trying to condense his life into a few paragraphs feels like an impossible task, because it was so full, varied and at times turbulent.

Clif never shied away from a job that needed doing, approaching every task with grit, determination and persistence.

Clif's life was full of challenges, which he fought hard to overcome. As a young boy, Clif struggled with learning to read. It was later discovered that he suffered from dyslexia, but he essentially taught himself to read and ultimately became a voracious reader.

He was truly one-of-a-kind, in personality and in his unique approach to life. He was a people person who always made a point of knowing the names and even the back stories of those with whom he interacted. If his wife picked up a prescription or did something on his behalf, she was invariably met with "oh Clif, he’s my favorite." He didn’t have a phony bone in his body and had little patience for those who did, or for hypocrisy.

His work throughout his life was varied and eclectic- from garbage man, to painter and carpenter, to actor, craftsman and drug and alcohol counselor. It’s not a stretch to say the man could do just about anything. His curiosity was insatiable and his interests many, ranging from space travel (he would not have hesitated if he had an opportunity to travel to space), to meteorology, to history, photography and especially the performing arts - acting and singing.

Clif will be remembered for his outgoing personality, his storytelling and humor, his unique walking sticks, and most of all his kindness, especially to those who were behind the scenes, making our world work. He loved animals and was a special friend to the birds.

He leaves behind his wife Sue Webster, who he loved unconditionally, Sue's brothers and sisters, Steve, Carol, Liz and John, and Clif's goofy golden retriever, Louie. Clif's sudden passing also saddens his large extended family; his siblings Leo (Kim), Linda, Joe (Virginia), Patty (Frank), Kelly (Maura), and Greg. He was pre-deceased by his sister Gerri (Dave) 9 months ago. Clif is also survived by a multitude of nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition he is survived by his Ithaca family, Joe Massa (Doreen), Amanda Massa (Bob), and his beloved Mason and George.

The doctors and nurses who helped Clif and his family through this time of need are too numerous to mention individually, although we would like to give special thanks to his primary doctor, Dr. Lucia Jander and to his pulmonologist, Dr. Lavanya Kodali, whose sweet empathy was a gift to Clif and his family, and to Dr. Alex Giuliano whose steady and clear counsel was invaluable. Dr. Paul Marino, and the nurses and respiratory therapists at the ICU of Cayuga Med- your kind, calm, unobtrusive, skilled, empathic care of Clif and his wife during this sad whirlwind of illness and decision making manifest the best in humanity. Thank you! Thank you!!

His was a life well lived and loved, and the world is a little less colorful with him not in it.

Clif credits the Salvation Army Center of Hope (Sarasota, Florida), for helping to save his life from alcoholism. If so inclined, donations can go there.

Soar with the stars Clif!

Memorial service time and location soon to be determined.