Susan Sharp Research Notes: Newspaper Clipping from the Punxsutawney Spirit, Punxsutawney, PA. The date is cut off. COMMENTARY - AND THE SMILES REMAIN, JOTTINGS FROMA JOURNAL By Terry A. Frye J. Clifford Doney entered my life 22 years ago on the first day of my teaching career at PAHS. Introducinghimself, he impressed me immediately with his friendliness and hisobvious fondness for his work. As I soon learned, Cliff was quite a man. His ever-present crewcut, the irrepressible twinkle in his eye, and his delight in a good joke (or even a not-so-good joke) served only to remind those of us who knew him that age is only a state of mind. Mr. Doney had the special knack of turning the grayest of days around. He could have a math class howling with glee at some of his off-the-cuff humor.
He was often a lovable rascal who enjoyed teasing young girls or secretaries until they blushed. The Peter Pan in him popped out on the days of big games. Many a pep session exploded in laughter when Cliff scampered from his place in the bleachers to lead the entire student body in his original math-oriented cheer. But there was another side of his character that impressed me-and that was his interest in young people and his dedication to education. The present curriculum of the junior and senior high school math program is an enduring tribute to Mr. Doney's concern for providing local students with ample training for future success. When he retired in 1981 after 46 years in the classroom, he told me his 'best rewards have been seeing former students doing well in life, whether or not they went to college.' He confided, 'I still feel a bit sentimental because I'd like to believe that a little something I might have taught them helped them in one way or another.'
Because he enjoyed kids, it was only natural that Cliff became an integral part of the athletic program. For more than 30 years, he officiated at football, volleyball, and basketball games. He was also the starter for track events. In many ways, Mr. Doney was as much a part of the activities as the players, the bands , and the fans.There were many other things that interested Cliff. He found time to work for his community and his church to support the efforts of others. At many concerts and plays, he and his patient, loving wife Thelma were in the audience. Mr. Doney made it a point to express his appreciation to the performers.
And, like most father and grandfathers, he occasionally enjoyed bragging about his daughter Janice and his granddaughters. Since I am the father of two daughters, Cliff always inquired about my youngsters as they were growing up. He'd give advice and share an anecdote or two about his own special girls. After his retirement, he had hoped to spend more time with his family and to travel and play golf. But, life didn't turn out as well as we would have wished. Instead of relaxation there was pain; instead of joy, there was suffering. Time and disease gradually took their toll. This week, J. Clifford Doney died at age 72. Even though he is gone, there is still reason to rejoice for the years he was among us. As long as someone remembers Cliff's jokes and his hearty laughter, there will be smiles that linger. And I'm sure that's just the way he would have wanted it to be.