May 20, 1937 - January 25, 2008

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Cliff Rupert of Gravenhurst on January 25, 2008, with family at his bedside, following a massive stroke he suffered almost two weeks earlier.

Cliff was known to most of Gravenhurst for his friendly “how ya doin’” and always, with a smile and a wave. He had a great passion for everything hockey, especially the Toronto Maple Leafs. You would quite often spot Cliff on the main street wearing his Maple Leafs jacket covered with pins.

He could skate like the wind and looked forward to the ice going in at the local arena each fall where he enjoyed public skating time. When he couldn’t skate in Gravenhurst, he would often find his way up to Bracebridge where they did have public skating that day. He did a lot of volunteer work with the local Salvation Army Food Bank.

Cliff was born in Toronto on May 20, 1937. As many people know, Cliff was institutionalized at a young age as a result of epilepsy in an era when little was known about the illness. He was released from Huronia Regional Centre in his 20s and subsequently met and married Marilyn Pilger, with whom he enjoyed over 30 years of marriage. Sadly, Marilyn predeceased him in the fall of 2001. Marilyn and Cliff had no children of their own but provided care in their home for numerous children in the community over the years, including nieces and nephews Tracy, Doug, Sherrie and Mike.

Cliff is fondly remembered by brothers-in-law Bryan (Linda) and Terry (Wendy), sister-in-law Bonnie Fraser (Art) and nieces Sherrie Pilger and Tracy McGrath and nephews Doug Pilger and Mike Pilger, as well as his father-in-law Phil Pilger.

The funeral service took place at the Salvation Army Chapel on January 29, 2008. Spring burial will take place at Barkway Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.