SOUTHWICK – Clayton A. Cigal, Sr., 92, a lifelong resident of Southwick passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 23rd. Many of you may remember Clayton from his years of working at the Robert Arnold Tobacco Farm or as the coordinator of the Southwick Granville Crop Walk or you may have had a mutual friend, Bill W. Many others may have carved a pumpkin with him at his annual Pumpkin Weekend at his home. When you ran into Clayton and asked him how he was, he would always smile and reply “better now.” He enjoyed visiting with friends and family, waterfalls and most of all Snoopy. He graduated in 1944 from Westfield High School. He was a WWII Combat veteran in China, Okinawa and later served in the Korean War. He was a member of the Elks, VFW and American Legion for many years. He was a previous Park and Recreation Commission member. Clayton owned an Esso and Shell station in Southwick for years and went on to work at Gas Turbine Services, BAX, Special Transport Service and other trucking and courier services. He leaves behind his longtime companion Ann Kempf, his sons Clayton, Jr. and his wife Gail Cigal of W. Suffield, CT, Jeffrey and his wife Michelle Cigal of Windsor Locks, CT, and Scott Cigal of Southwick; a daughter Marie and her husband Michael Daniels of Westfield and his daughter-in-law Debra Cigal of Westfield. He also leaves behind Phillip and his wife Barbara Kempf of Brattleboro, VT and Lawrence Kempf of Cavendish, VT, 13 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews who adored him. Clayton was predeceased by his wife Irene (Klim) Cigal in 1975, his grandson Joseph Cigal in 2009 and his son John Cigal, Sr. in 2012.
Please join the family on Friday, August 31, 2018 at the Christ Church, 568 College Highway, Southwick between 10 am – 12 pm to share stories and celebrate his life. A service will follow at 12. It was Clayton’s wish that his body be donated to Tuft’s University for medical education for the future physicians and health care workers of tomorrow. A private funeral will be at the convenience of the family.
The family would like to thank the wonderful people from Baystate Noble Hospice and Caring Solutions. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Our Community Food Pantry, 220 College Highway, Southwick, MA 01077 or to Baystate Noble Hospice, P. O. Box 9058, Springfield, MA 01102.
“I love you and there is nothing you can do about it!”
