Clifford Trask

BREITUNG TOWNSHIP - Clifford C. Trask, 84, of N 4578 County Rd. 607, Breitung Township, died Thursday, April 16, 2009, at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital. He was born on March 18, 1925, in Joggins, Nova Scotia, Canada. He immigrated to Detroit with his parents, the late William and Anna (Brown) Trask. Cliff joined the United States Navy during World War II and served aboard the Navy Sub Chaser PC 612. During his service to our country, Cliff received a Christian tract from his sister, which changed his life forever. He understood he was a sinner in need of a savior. He bowed his head and heart before his Lord Jesus Christ and put his trust in Jesus Christ who had paid the penalty for his sins. He sought to live out the rest of his life in a way that would glorify God. After his time in the Navy, he drifted his way to Alaska, where he worked for over a year constructing the Alaska railroad. He had several migrant farmer jobs, including picking cotton, carrots and citrus in Arizona. Cliff ended up coming back to Michigan in the 1940s and met Ruth Hansen, who became his wife on Oct. 20, 1949. Together, they moved back to Mesa, Ariz., for a brief time before returning to the Iron Mountain area in the 1950s. Cliff worked for Perfex and later as a diesel truck mechanic for Cummins Diesel, Mack Truck and ended his career with the Dickinson County Road Commission, where he had worked for most of his life. He attended and was active at the Balsam Street Christian Church. He was also involved with Big Brothers-Big Sisters, NAMI and was a strong supporter of AA and Al-Anon. Cliff enjoyed Rosemaling and making wooden furniture. He loved to plant and tend to his trees. Cliff is survived by his sons, Stephen (Barbara) Trask of Breitung Township, Scott (Pamela) Trask of Breitung Township and Joel Trask of Oconto, Wis.; and a sister, Roblene (Wayne) Dillon of Lafayette, Ga. He is also survived by many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews of the Hansen family and nephew, Craig (Anne) Russet. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth in 1995, a brother, Earl William Trask and a sister, Rochelle Russet. Visitation will be held on Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Balsam Street Christian Church in Kingsford. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. at the church. Larry Neargarth will officiate. Burial will be in the Quinnesec Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in his memory. Condolences to the family of Clifford Trask may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.

Clifford Trask

April 16, 1925 - April 16, 2009