Clifford "Cliff" Saxby

Clifford "Cliff" Jr. Saxby, 65, of Stockton passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011, in his home following a six month struggle with cancer. Cliff was born May 31, 1945, in Freeport, the son of Clifford Saxby and Dorothy (Lizer) Kohl. He spent his youth in Pecatonica and attended Pecatonica High School. Cliff was well known for his humorous stories and antics, and was always willing and able to entertain and make you laugh. He was employed as a carpenter and millwright and he loved taking ideas he dreamed and bringing them to life with his skilled hands and inventive mind. Later in life he repaired and refinished antique furniture and found it to be a passion and was known for his extraordinary talent. He also ran a successful restaurant and antique shop in Savanna for many years called JT Bradley's. Recently he opened a furniture repair business "Cliff's Antiques and Refinishing" in Stockton. He enjoyed the outdoors, and spent time at auctions and flea markets making many acquaintances and friends. He sold his furniture, unusual finds and antiques at The Pec Thing flea market and gave away his stories of the history and hunt of the pieces. He was an avid fisherman and he could often be found on the lake catching crappies for his fish fry's. He also collected vintage rods, reels, lures, and various fishing memorabilia, as well as many stories of the ones that got away. Cliff had many hobbies and spent time outdoors hunting, snowmobiling, and camping. His further interests including raising animals, where he travelled around the Midwest winning many awards for his show rabbits. He also was active in dart and pool leagues, and won numerous trophies for his talents. Cliff was a skilled cook, and loved cooking either in his restaurant or for his family and friends at home. He was wonderfully creative, always bursting with ideas, whether it was dreaming up a new dinner dish or building something from scratch. He thoroughly enjoyed people and anyone lucky enough to come in contact with him instantly knew he was a friendly and caring person. While Cliff will be greatly missed, his loving family and friends recognize his full life and all of the entertaining, exciting, and heart-felt moments and people that filled it. He is irreplaceable, but he has left behind many rich and charming memories that we are very grateful for. Survivors include daughter Tonya (Todd) Penniston and son Todd of Freeport, daughter Brittany and son Brandon of Stockton, mother Dorothy of Pecatonica, brothers Jeff (Mary) and Jimmy (Linda) of Pecatonica, Grandchildren Justin, Colton, Clifford James, Stephana, Cyle, Breona, Treasure, Katie, and Dylan, great-grandchildren Lexlin and Mya, nephew Nick and niece Coralyn. He was preceded in death by his father Clifford, sister Mary Ann, and wife Barbara. He married Barbara (Longshore) in 1965, he married Maureen (Marsh) in 1987. Cliff has lived in Freeport, Pecatonica, German Valley, Savanna, and Stockton. He attended Stockton Wesley United Methodist Church. Services will be held for immediate family. Memorial gathering and celebration banquet to be held in the spring of 2011 at Sumner Park in Pecatonica. To be on a contact list for the memorial celebration banquet please contact the family by phone at 815-541-2736 or email cliffordsaxby@yahoo.com. A memorial fund has been established and contributions can be sent to Cliff Saxby Memorial Fund, 108 Mathilda Dr. #2, Stockton, IL 61085 or Paypal brsaxby@yahoo.com