Clifford L. Snook, 79, of Milford, Pa., passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Bronx VA Medical Center.
Born on May 18, 1946, in Newton, New Jersey, Clifford was the son of the late Hobart Snook and Luella (Howell) Snook. Clifford proudly served his country in the United States Navy, an experience that shaped him deeply and instilled in him a lifelong devotion to his fellow veterans. After his honorable service, he used the GI Bill to attend Ramapo College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He then traveled west to California to pursue his master’s degree at John F. Kennedy University, making his home on the West Coast for 25 years — first in Oakland and later in Encinitas. It was in California that Clifford built a meaningful career as a marriage and family therapist, with a special focus on serving those who carried the heaviest burdens — survivors of crime, individuals coping with trauma, combat veterans, and their spouses. Having walked the path of military service himself, he brought a rare understanding and compassion to his work with veterans, and his quiet strength touched countless lives during some of their darkest hours. Clifford eventually returned east, settling back in Milford, Pa., where he worked for the State of Pennsylvania in social services until his retirement. An original hippie and free spirit at heart, Clifford had a deep and abiding love for nature and was an avid reader who could lose himself in a good book for hours. He held a special tenderness for animals and children alike, and was the kind of person who would do anything to help either one. Those who knew him will remember his open heart, his gentle spirit, and his unwavering willingness to lend a hand.
Clifford is survived by his brother, Garry E. Snook, and his wife Karen; his niece, Kelly Sroka, and her husband Thomas; and his nephew, Kyle Snook, and his wife Holly. He was also a beloved great-uncle to Jacob Sroka, Rachel Sroka, Samuel Sroka, and Marissa Snook. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 East Main Street, Port Jervis, N.Y.