Clifford W. West, age 87, formally of Bridgeport and Wilton died Wednesday, November 10, 2004, at Norwalk Hospital. Mr. West was born August 4, 1917, in Milford, to the late R. Frank West and Edith Johnson West. He was predeceased by his first wife, Leota Wargo West, a brother Robert West, and a sister Pearl Iseppi. He attended Bridgeport Public Schools and Connecticut State Technical School. He was employed by American Chain & Cable Co. , W.S. Rockwell-Globe Tapping, Bridgeport Fittings, Moore Tool, and was manager of Automation Lab at Burndy Corp., Norwalk and retired from Emson Research after 17 years. During World War II he served as a civil service employee at the Panama Canal where he was a master mechanic servicing battered ships from the Pacific and maintaining the Lockes in 1952. He was recalled to the Panama Canal Zone to overhaul the Gatun Lockes. He was an active member in the Mason's for five decades. He was a 32nd degree mason at Ashlar-Aspetuck Lodge 142, a member of the Pyramid Shrine and Great Band and Brass Band. He was the first civilian elected president of the Police Square Club. for 3 years, a member of the East End Originals and President of the S.S. Norden Club for 3 years. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Ivers West of Milford. His daughter, Leota West Plonsky and husband, John, of Huntington; and three cherished grandchildren, John Plonsky Jr., Leota Plonsky and Paul Plowsky, of Huntington. Three step-children: Lynne Ivers Thompson of Amherst, Mass., Thomas Ivers of Milford, and Jim Ivers of Norwalk; two step-grandchildren, Sage Scott and Spencer Thompson of Amherst, Mass. Friends are invited to attend the funeral on Monday at 11 a.m. in The Larson Funeral Home, 2496 North Avenue, Bridgeport. Burial will be in Mt. Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport. Friends may call on Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m.

Published in the Connecticut Post on 11/13/2004.