Clifford R. Brautigan Jr, 82, of Avon-by-the-Sea, passed away on Sunday, September 25, 2016, surrounded by family. He was born on June 1, 1934 and raised in East Orange, NJ. He had lived in Avon-by-the-Sea since 1957 where he and his wife Nancy raised six children.
Clifford graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair, received a Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Wilkes College and a Masters of Arts in Business from Rider College. Following his graduation from Wilkes College in 1956, he took a teaching job at Hightstown High School where he remained for his whole career of 38 years, teaching, coaching, and working as an assistant principal and content specialist until his retirement in 1995.
Having a lifelong love of sports, Clifford played throughout his youth and then became a well-respected coach later in life. He played football and basketball throughout his academic years and went on to play semi-pro football with the Jersey Sharks at Wall Stadium. He coached football for 25 years and basketball for 14 while teaching at Hightstown. He was a member of the Immaculate High School Hall of Fame as well as the Hightstown High School Hall of Fame. He volunteered as a Tri-Boro Little League coach and a CYO basketball and track coach in Avon. Clifford enjoyed coaching and being a positive influence in the lives of his players.
Clifford was a member of the Avon Volunteer Fire Department for nearly 48 years where he held the position of recording secretary. He served as the financial manager for the Borough of Avon beachfront and was a former town commissioner from 1975 to 1979. He served on the borough’s planning board for many years, including recording secretary for 12 years and served as a special police officer in the Avon Police Department for 17 years. He was a long-time communicant at St. Elizabeth’s Roman Catholic Church, Avon, where he served as an usher.
Clifford was predeceased by his parents Clifford and Carolyn Brautigan, and his son-in-law Raymond J. McCartney. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 59 years Anna (Nancy) Gilligan Brautigan, his loving children Patricia McCartney and her fiancé Jeff Axelrod, Clifford Brautigan III and his wife Cheryl, Michael Brautigan and his wife Marie, Suzanne Brautigan Pickens and her husband Chris, Karen Brautigan Long and her husband Michael, and Lynn Brautigan and her fiancé Michael Bandarra. Known as Pop-Pop, Clifford was the proud grandfather of Jim (Tara), Maureen (Gary), Kelley (Greg), Michael Jr, Jack, Erin, Matt, Sean, Christopher, Robert and Katie and great grandfather to Abby, Kevin, Ryan, Raymond, Raeghan, and Madden.
The family would like to thank his caretaker George for the wonderful care he provided to Clifford during his last weeks. Visiting will be Thursday, from 5-9 PM at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 Wall, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be Friday, 11 AM at St. Elizabeth Church, Avon, NJ. Burial will follow in St. Anne Cemetery, Wall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Clifford’s name to the Avon Volunteer Fire Department or the Avon First Aid Squad.