Obituary of Clifford Patrick Plettell

April 18, 1925 - Calcutta, India
July 22, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Clifford (Cliff) was born in Calcutta, India (Kolkata) on April 18, 1925 to Vivian (George) and Mary (Hortulana) Plettell. He was the oldest of sixteen brothers and sisters. Today he is survived by his siblings, Priscilla, Gerard, Mary, Joan and Clare.

In his early years he worked as an airplane mechanic for the Indian Airforce in Madras (Chennai). Clifford married the love of his life Merlyn (nee Fernandez) on September 29, 1947 and they were married for 54 years.

They moved to Calcutta in the first part of 1952. Cliff was hired on by the Tramways and worked there until September of 1967, when Cliff and Merlyn immigrated to Canada on September 19, 1967, with a brief stop over in Tokyo before landing in Calgary.

It was a huge decision for them to give up their lives, and Merlyn to give up her family to make a better life for each of their children. When Cliff first arrived, he lived in Taber with his family for a year. It was difficult for him to find a job, and he worked for a year doing manual labour, which he was not used to nor was he a spring chicken at the time. He had nine children to feed and no government handouts.

Cliff and his family lived in Taber for a year and then moved to Calgary in 1968, in time for their children to start a new school term in September and for the birth of their youngest child, Cherie.

In Calgary, he found a job with Atco Structures building trailers and worked there until his retirement. He also worked at Indal Windows and Doors and part-time at Roxborough House.

His penmanship and flair for the English language was nothing short of excellent. A talent he got from his father.

From 2006-2009 he received Certificates of Recognition for his role in volunteering to teach English to new immigrants that had come to live in Canada. He also volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club in Calgary. He kept himself busy. He financially supported children from other parts of the world through a Catholic Organization out of Bedford, NS called Childcare International, now known as Chalice. He was pretty savvy on the computer and used to correspond with relatives and friends from India who moved to Australia.

He had glaucoma in one eye and cataract surgery in the other and came out of it very well. However, not long after that he suffered a debilitating stroke in December of 2012, which took his good eye, left him nearly blind and with a condition called Aphasia. This was quite frustrating, as the words he knew in his head could not always come out in his speech.   

Cliff was a great hands-on kind of guy and would help his kids and grandkids wherever it was needed, whether it was fixing something, building something, or even lending them money. 

Clifford is survived by his children Marion Finkbiner, Lil Szentmiklossy (Ross), Chris Gavin, Rod Plettell (Elvie), Jenny Miller (Terry), Keith Plettell, Noel Plettell, Lynette Robins, Cherie Severson and their respective families; 20 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandson. He was predeceased by his daughters, Veona, Roxanne and Belinda in India; wife Merlyn Plettell (2001); son-in-law Vic Finkbiner (1993); son Patrick Plettell (2021); and grandson Jesse Robins (2021).

He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. May he Rest in Peace.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church (4747 30 ST SE, Calgary, AB) on Tuesday August 8, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. The Mass will be presided by Father Clauber Lima. Reception to follow in the Church Hall. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Clifford Plettell, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.