Half Century President gives much to community

By Mark Ribble

This article is part of our monthly highlight of sensational seniors in our three communities — Kingsville, Leamington and Wheatley.

Cliff Hartwick’s whole life has been about serving — whether he was serving the community as a police officer or farmer, or now as a community volunteer.

Born in Mersea Township, Cliff attended the one-room school SS#15 on Mersea Road C — the road he grew up on.

“I quit school in Grade 10 to help dad on the farm,” he said last week. “Took several jobs along the way.”

Cliff, soon-to-be 79, worked a bit at the local tobacco factory, a couple of smaller shops and also at Heinz.

It wasn’t until Leonard Campbell spoke to him about becoming a policeman that he found his calling.

He caught on with the Mersea Township Police and stayed there until 1979, when he took a policing job in Kingsville.

“Chief Boldt from Kingsville asked me to come there,” he said. “That’s where I finished my policing career.”

Cliff had been part of starting the area’s first bicycle rodeos, teaching youngsters the rules of the road and lots of bicycle safety.

In Kingsville, he took it one step further and got heavily involved in the V.I.P. program for Grade 6 students, teaching them aspects of life that they wouldn’t necessarily learn in school.

“I have some great memories of those young people,” he says. “They called me Constable Cliff and many of them still do.”

Even though he’d taken over the family farm, Cliff retired from policing on his 50th birthday and jumped right into yet an- other career, going back to school to become a certified bus training professional.

At one point, he was the only person in Essex County who could issue an air brake license.

“I worked for the Arthurs family teaching bus drivers defensive driving and also did some work for the Towles up in Amherstburg,” he fondly recalls.

And all through those careers, the farming kept going until 2005, when he gave that up too.

Along the way, he picked up some expertise in grief counselling through his friend Jim Cudmore and got involved in Griefshare classes.

It was 2010 when Cliff lost his wife Janette and her loss brought him out to the Leamington Half Century Centre where he’s been president multiple times.

He and Janette had one daughter (Julie) and one granddaughter (Lily), whom he adores. In fact, Lily has spent time volunteering at the Half Century Centre and has inherited that sense of community service from her grandfather.

Cliff keeps busy at the Half Century Centre, although he has also spent time volunteering at hospice, Meals on Wheels and helping former MP Dave Van Kesteren at passport clinics.

He’s been a big part of the mural on the side of the Half Century Centre building as well as upgrades to the parking lot and runs the pepper games there every week.

“I’ve immersed myself into the work at the club,” he says, “I enjoy every second I am helping out here.”

With regard to the Griefshare classes, he feels that his great relationship with God helps with his outlook on grief.

“I’ve always been involved in the church and have lived a God-led life,” he says.

He’s also been tasked with performing clergical duties at local funerals.

He’s a recipient of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medal — something he’s very proud of — as well as a pin honouring his work with the V.I.P. program.

Cliff is a regular fixture at the Half Century Centre and would be happy to welcome other seniors and show them around the club.

“I enjoy the people,” he says. “I know them all by name and I’m happy to be here.”

Cliff Hartwick, right, enjoyed getting the Half Century Centre ready for their annual St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner on Friday, March 17. He is assisting Senior Social Worker Kayla Simpson with the decorations. SUN photo