Obituary of Clifton Pratt

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Clifton Pratt

June 17, 1944 - March 7, 2014

The Hampton Union, March 11, 2014

Cliff PrattHAMPTON — Clifton "Jack" Pratt, 69, loving husband, devoted grandfather and loyal friend, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Hyder Family Hospice House in Dover on Friday, March 7, 2014, in the company of his wife, Kate.

Born June 17, 1944, in Portsmouth, he was the son of the late Clifton J. and Ruth E. (Moir) Pratt.

Cliff worked many years as a machinist for the Gould Shawmut/Mersen, formerly of Newburyport, Mass.

Cliff was a member of First Congregational Church in Hampton, where he had served from time to time as deacon, warden, Sunday school superintendent, member of the 350th anniversary committee and Santa. He served the town on the Board of Selectmen and Planning Board. He was "Boss Judge" for the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival and "Pig Master" for the Hampton Historical Society pig roast, every Labor Day weekend.

A lifelong resident of Hampton, Cliff was the 11th generation of his family to reside here. Cliff was easily recognized by his trademark overalls. He ventured through life at his own pace. Family members say you know this if you were ever caught in traffic behind him on Route 1.

His favorite place in the world was his garden. He enjoyed planting pumpkins every year with his grandkids. He spent many hours just sitting and watching his garden grow, battling occasionally against a certain woodchuck.

Cliff's forefathers were tasked with caring for the Town Clock, formerly housed at Odd Fellows Hall. He felt a personal commitment to ensure its preservation for future generations and dedicated many hours and efforts to the cause.

He is survived by his wife, Kate (Katzenbach) Pratt; son William "Whit" Hansen; daughter-in-law Amy (Griffin) Hansen; grandchildren Jack, Edgar and Abby Hansen, all of Hampton; and one sister, Laura Dunn of Litchfield, Conn.

SERVICES: Relatives and friends may call from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2014, at the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home-Crematory, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton. A memorial service is being planned for April 26 at First Congregational Church, 127 Winnacunnet Road, Hampton. In keeping with the family's wish to follow through with Cliff's effort to ensure the Town Clock's restoration and installation is completed, donations may be sent to: Town Clock Fund, c/o Hampton Recreation Dept., 100 Winnacunnet Road, Hampton, NH 03842.


Remembering Clifton Pratt

By Kyle Stucker

Hampton Union, March 11, 2014

[The following article is courtesy of the Hampton Union and Seacoast Online.]

Cliff Pratt

HAMPTON — To those who knew him dearly, Clifton "Cliff" Pratt was a "real gentleman," a "selfless" public official and resident, and one of the "kindest" and "fairest" people in town.

Pratt passed away Friday at the age of 69. The longtime Hampton resident has served the town and many local organizations in numerous ways, including time spent as selectman and as the "driving force" behind the town clock restoration project, according to former Selectman Ben Moore.

"It was a pleasure to know him," said Moore, who lived across the street from Pratt for years and worked closely with him during Hampton Historical Society functions and events. "He was extremely active in the community. He loved Hampton."

Pratt, who is married to Rockingham County Commissioner Kate Pratt, was born June 17, 1944, in Portsmouth. A machinist by trade, Pratt brought a steady, never-failing approach to his personal relationships and work, according to Ginny Bridle-Russell, who served with Pratt on the Hampton Board of Selectmen.

Bridle-Russell said Pratt "always had a willingness to listen," regardless of "how he felt about the issue" or topic. She said this quality helped accomplish much in town government, in addition to allowing Pratt to make lifelong friendships with those around him.

"I'll never forget that every year, there was a resident in town named Dotty Rogers," said Bridle-Russell. "She lived to be 92. Every year she and Cliff shared the same birthday, and Cliff would pick a bouquet of flowers from his garden and deliver them to her. That was the highlight of her birthday. Cliff gave unselfishly throughout the town, and he's one that a lot of people will miss."

Harvey Webber, who as owner of H.G. Webber Antiques worked closely with Pratt to repair the town's clock and bell in order to ready them for their installation in a glass monument in front of Centre School, said he was "horribly distraught" over Pratt's death.

Webber said he plans to make a memorial plaque of some kind to install on or inside the monument in honor of Pratt — an honor Webber said Pratt "certainly deserves."

Town Manager Fred Welch said the project, which is still in progress, and the clock's restoration "probably wouldn't" have been started without Pratt.

"He worked very quietly behind the scenes getting a lot of things done," said Welch.

Rye Fire Chief Skip Sullivan, who served as selectmen with Pratt, said Pratt was a "no-nonsense kind of guy" and "good friend" who will be irreplaceable in Hampton.

"He spoke very softly, but when he spoke everyone listened because he made a lot of sense," said Sullivan. "He was an all-around guy who you would want to say you were his friend and he was yours."

Calling hours will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on March 15 at Remick and Gendron Funeral Home at 811 Lafayette Road in Hampton. A memorial service will be held for Pratt on April 26 at First Congregational Church at 127 Winnacunnet Road in Hampton.

In lieu of flowers, Pratt's family is asking for contributions to the town clock project through the Town Clock Fund, c/o Hampton Recreation Dept., 100 Winnacunnet Road, Hampton, NH 03842. Moore said this gesture is fitting and speaks volumes about Pratt's passion for the restoration.

"We thank the family for remembering the clock, and I'm sure Cliff would want us to finish that clock project as soon as possible," he said.


Former Hampton Selectman Dies at 69

By Marc Fortier

Hampton-North Hampton Patch, March 10, 2014

[The following article is courtesy of Hampton-NorthHampton.patch.com

Clifton “Jack” Pratt, 69, loving husband, devoted grandfather and loyal friend passed away peacefully in his sleep at Hyder Family Hospice House in Dover on Friday, March 7, 2014 in the company of his wife, Kate.

Born in Portsmouth, June 17 1944 he was the son of the late Clifton J. and Ruth E. (Moir) Pratt.

Cliff worked many years as a machinist for the Gould Shawmut / Mersen formerly of Newburyport.

Cliff was a member of First Congregational church in Hampton where he had served from time to time as Deacon, Warden, Sunday school superintendent, member of the 350th anniversary committee and Santa. He served the Town on the Board of Selectmen and Planning Board. He was “Boss Judge” for the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival and “Pig Master” for the Hampton Historical Society pig roast, every Labor Day weekend.

A lifelong resident of Hampton, Cliff was the 11th generation of his family to reside here. Cliff was easily recognized by his trademark overalls. He ventured through life at his own pace. You know this if you were ever caught in traffic behind him on Route 1. His favorite place in the world was his garden. He enjoyed planting pumpkins every year with his grandkids. He spent many hours just sitting and watching his garden grow, battling occasionally against a certain woodchuck.

Cliff’s forefathers were tasked with caring for the Town Clock, formerly housed at Odd Fellows Hall. He felt a personal commitment to ensure its preservation for future generations and dedicated many hours and efforts to the cause.

He is survived by his wife Kate (Katzenbach) Pratt, son William “Whit” Hansen, daughter-in-law Amy (Griffin) Hansen, grandchildren Jack, Edgar and Abby Hansen all of Hampton and one sister Laura Dunn of Litchfield, Ct.
We should all take a lesson from Cliff. Take it slow and take the time watch your garden grow.

Relatives and friends may call from 3 to 5 PM on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home-Crematory, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton. A memorial service is being planned for April 26th at the First Congregational Church, 127 Winnacunnet Road, Hampton

It is our wish and commitment to follow through with Cliff’s effort to ensure the Town Clock’s restoration and installation is completed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: Town Clock Fund, c/o Hampton Rec. Dept. at 100 Winnacunnet Road, Hampton, NH 03842. 

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