Clifford George Fitchett

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Clifford “Cliff” Fitchett on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Andy’s House Hospice in Port Carling, Ontario, surrounded by the love of his family.

Cliff was the beloved husband of the late Muriel Fitchett (2004), with whom he shared a lifetime of laughter, partnership, and devotion. He was a loving father to Don Fitchett (Amber) and Deb Paull (Barry), and a was proud and cherished “Pops” to Kyle, Laura, Aidan, Bailey, Mattie, Charlie, Thomas, Claire, and Jake. Family was important to Cliff — he beamed with pride at their accomplishments and found joy in their company, even if he didn't always show it.

Born in Port Credit and raised in the quiet hamlet of Barkway before settling in Housey’s Rapids, Cliff was a Muskoka boy through and through. He headed to Toronto as a young man to pursue an electrical apprenticeship under his uncle Allen Fitchett, but it was the local square dances that truly changed his life — it was there he met Muriel. They married and returned to Muskoka to build a home and a life together, raising their children in the values of hard work, integrity, and determination.

Cliff was nothing if not ambitious. At just 21, he built his own home and began working with Central Plumbing in Gravenhurst. His natural leadership and work ethic soon saw him rise to superintendent at the local utilities in just four years. But Cliff had bigger dreams — “I came from nothing and set out to prove to the world you weren’t just a poor boy,” he once said. And prove it he did. He launched his own contracting business, taking on projects in construction, running his sawmill, and farming. He especially loved working with cattle — often claiming he was downsizing his herd, only for it to grow mysteriously larger each season. “I just couldn’t keep the bull out of the pasture,” he’d say with a grin.

Cliff had a deep appreciation of nature, the sandhill cranes coming back year after year brought him great joy as did all the little kitty’s in the shop and barn. In his younger years he enjoyed hunting and trapping, taking some hunting trips with his son Don. He enjoyed taking people out to his sugar shack and found the log cabin he built to be his perfect little sanctuary.

In 2005, Cliff found adventure with his devoted companion, Jo-Ann Washburn. Together they made memories across the world — from South Africa to the Yukon, Ireland to PEI, and countless road trips in Canada and to Florida. Cliff, ever the planner, eventually learned to lean into Jo-Ann’s spontaneous spirit. Their laughter was constant, their teasing affectionate, and their love genuine.

Cliff will be deeply missed by his brother Bill Fitchett (Becky) and is predeceased by his parents Archie and Agnes Fitchett along with his brother Bruce Fitchett. He leaves behind his children, grandchildren and Jo-Ann’s children — Sandy (Flo), Ashley, and Shannon (Tom) — who came to know and love him as family.

A Funeral Service to celebrate Cliff’s life will be held at Calvary Church, 185 Brock St., Gravenhurst, on Tuesday, May 6 at 1:00 p.m. A reception will follow at the Gravenhurst Legion, where stories will be shared and his life honoured in the way he would have wanted — with family, friends, and a few laughs.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Cliff’s memory to Andy’s House Hospice would be gratefully appreciated. Their compassion and care in his final days brought comfort to Cliff and his family. https://hospicemuskoka.akaraisin.com/ui/donations/donations/start