Obituary of Clifford Matthew Monette
Clifford M. (Cliff) Monette of Lafayette died at home on April 27, 2018 from natural causes. He was 79 years old.
Born June 23rd, 1938 in Schenectady, New York to Clifford Joseph Monette and Bernadette Primeau Monette, Cliff graduated from Mont Pleasant High School in 1956 and joined IBM in Poughkeepsie, NY as an Electronic Technician Apprentice. Upon graduation from the apprenticeship, he was actively involved in the transition and testing of computer mainframes from tube to solid state.
Drafted into the Army in 1961, he spent two years in the U.S. Army Signal Corps at Ft. Monmouth, NJ, teaching computer programming. Returning to IBM he continued in Poughkeepsie until 1966 when he responded to an opportunity to relocate to Boulder, CO, at a newly announced IBM facility. He continued his career in various technical and management positions, including property management for seven leased facilities in the city of Boulder. His final years were spent as a Facilities Administrator working on the design and implementation of various internal space needs. He retired in 1993 with 37 years of service. His retirement was filled with various part-time positions (for example, as an associate with M. P. Murphy Funeral Directors) and volunteering.
Cliff married Patricia Raymond on February 4, 1967 in Saratoga Springs, NY. Sadly, after forty-nine years of marriage, she passed away on July 4th, 2016. Also preceding him in death are his parents and his sisters, Marjorie and Lucille.
He is survived by his 3 children, Russell (Laurie) of Mullen, Nebraska; Daniel (Tara) of Lake Mary, Florida; and Lisa of Parker, Colorado; as well as nine grandchildren.
A lifetime Catholic, he was an active member of Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church in various ministries, and served in the American Legion, Post 111, Louisville, where he held various Post, District, and State leadership positions.
Cliff usually had a "bad" joke to share as well as his unending one-liners. He enjoyed volunteering, traveling, watching sports, singing in church choirs, barbershop choruses, and karaoke bars. His years as a spouse, a Dad, and a grandfather were the most enjoyable.
A Rosary will be said at 1:15 PM on Friday, May 11, at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 6739 South Boulder Road, Boulder, CO 80303. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 2:00 PM, after which Cliff will be buried in the church cemetery, with Military Honors provided by the U.S. Army and the American Legion. A reception will be held at the church after the ceremonies are complete.