John R Clifford

John Robert Clifford, 79, of Cambridge, died peacefully on April 20 after a lengthy illness.  He leaves his wife, Pat Glynn, who was with him when he passed; his children Frank (wife Monika and daughter Kaya) and Vanessa, his brothers Doug (Sandy), Dan (Margi), and Robert, many nieces and nephews, cousins, lots of friends, admirers, comrades, and detractors.  He was predeceased by his brother Roger.  John was well known throughout Cambridge and a mentor to many. 

John was a Marine Corp veteran of the American War in Vietnam and a Purple Heart recipient.  John was proud to have been a Marine while being just as strongly opposed to American wars from Vietnam until now.  John was a 1974 graduate of UMass-Boston and Hudson High School in 1961.

Perhaps best known as the owner of the Green Street Grill, where camaraderie and jazz were outdone by the food.  John was also a former labor and political organizer, youth worker and for a short time after college, a teacher.  John worked for Cambridge Mayor Ken Reeves as the Education Liaison when he retired from the restaurant.  His legacy will be his loyalty to his family, friends, and community. 

Burial services will be private.  A Celebration of John’s Life will be held on Sunday, April 23 at Sonia’s (at the Middle East Restaurant), 10 Brookline Street, Central Square, Cambridge, From

1:00 – 4:00.

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