Clifford L. Lisle

Clifford L. (Nichols) Lisle, 76, of Winchendon, MA passed away on December 30, 2024, after a courageous battle with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). 

Cliff was born to Elmer Lisle and Blanche (Clancy) in Littleton, Massachusetts on March 7, 1948. He was the second of six children born to Blanche, raised by Blanche and stepfather Harold Nichols, spending his early years in Ayer, MA fondly remembering his involvement in the Ayer Car Club, later moving to Ashburnham, attending Oakmont Regional High School, where he excelled on the football field. He enjoyed live music, he attended the Woodstock Festival, as well as many live concerts by Aerosmith, Frampton, War, and CCR. Later Cliff spent 20 years living in Arizona and, California until he returned to Massachusetts 10 years ago. While living in Arizona, Cliff was involved in a Saddle Club where he rode horses competitively and enjoyed working with the horses. 

Cliff worked extensively in the building trades, as a carpenter, roofer, and mason. He was an avid drag race enthusiast from a young age, joining his stepfather who drove on many of New England’s premier racetracks. Cliff’s mother provided foster care throughout Cliff’s youth and he was involved in helping with the care of many children in a busy household, and especially assisting special needs children. 

Cliff enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, horseback riding, and football. Cliff was thrilled to watch all of the games of the NFL as an avid fan with family and friends by his side. Until the end of his struggle with leukemia, Cliff watched and listened to the game from his bed, if necessary, rarely complaining and only hoping for a solution. 

Cliff is survived by his sons, Kristopher Lisle of Templeton, Alexander (Victoria) Wilkinson of Upton, daughter Sonja Wilkinson of Upton, four grandchildren, former wife Patricia Lisle of Templeton, siblings Patricia Cowan of Connecticut, Michael (Maria) Nichols of Georgia, Beth (Bud) Caron of Winchendon, James (Pamela) Nichols of Arizona, Laura Hardman of Florida, many nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog, Buttons. Cliff was predeceased by his father Elmer Lisle, and his mother and stepfather Blanche and Harold Nichols. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Clifford’s memory to UMass Chan Medical School Leukemia Research Fund Attn: Office of Advancement at 333 South Street Shrewsbury, MA 01545, where 100% goes to cancer research at UMass Chan Medical School. Special appreciation to the compassionate and skilled staff of the Inpatient Bone Marrow Transplant Unit and Ambulatory Infusion Clinic on the UMass University Campus. Many thanks to the staff of Heywood Oncology Department, Care Central VNA, and Winchendon Health Center for their ongoing care. 

The funeral will be at the Stone-LeDeau Funeral Home at 343 Central Street, Winchendon, MA on Saturday, January 18, 2025, visitation will be at 1:00 pm and his funeral service will be at 2:00 pm by Deacon William M. Griffin, ofs. Fellowship will follow at 3:00 pm at the American Legion, 295 School Street, Winchendon, MA.