STANDISH – Clifton Merrill Brink was born to Marilyn Frances Lund Brink and Harry Melvin Brink on July 18, 1956. His early childhood was spent in Falmouth surrounded by family and friends where he learned to love climbing pitchy pine trees with his best friends, Michael and David Polley, ice skating on Squittery Gussett with his older sister, Debbie, and fishing for mackerel off Tukey’s Bridge with his Grama, Mildred Lund.

Later, the Brinks moved to their home on Sebago Lake where Cliff spent most of his time during his formative years on or in the water. Cliff enjoyed working and getting to know new people from an early age; he started a paper route on White’s Point Road in Standish, often raking leaves or carrying groceries for neighbors along the way.

Cliff grew up to be a strong, barrel-chested specimen who proudly served in the United States Air Force for six years as a Forward Ground Radio Technician. He traveled to Europe and South America and all across the United States, winding up his tour of duty at Loring Air Force Base

before beginning his career as an Electrician and Yard Maintenance man at Bath Iron Works.

He married Ellen, the love of his life, in 1985; the pair especially enjoyed playing cribbage and drinking tea together at their home in Standish where they raised their two children.

Cliff had a big personality and a presence that filled the room. When he was happy, joy radiated from him, and he was never more joyful than when he was spending time with his family—especially his grandchildren whom he adored and doted on. He was the first person to volunteer to help anyone who needed it; to shovel, to sweep the walkway, to carry groceries, to make a run to the dump, to babysit, to rake leaves, or to run errands. Cliff also loved food and enjoyed cooking for people; one of his specialties was his delicious chicken parmesan.

The consummate outdoorsman, Cliff was passionate about teaching others how to appreciate nature. He became a Boy Scout troop leader, proudly guiding his son Jacob to become an Eagle Scout. The elements never phased him; Cliff camped in the winter and hiked in the summer and swam earlier in the season than anyone else dared. He was such an excellent swimmer, and could hold his breath for such long periods, that he’d often quietly slip under water only to reappear dozens of yards away mere moments later to tickle the toes of his delighted and squealing children, niece, and nephew floating above him. Cliff spent lots of time hiking in the White Mountains with his daughter, Lynn who recalls after one particularly long hike they leaned on some rocks as they reached the summit; just as Cliff stretched and reached his hands out, a gray Canadian Jay perched on his fingers. Lynn watched in disbelief as her dad made friends with the little bird.

Cliff passed away unexpectedly at his home in Standish, on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022 at the age of 65. He is survived by his loving wife, Ellen Conley Brink; son, Jacob Merrill Brink and his wife Sara Starr Brink of Wooster, Ohio, daughter, Marilyn Pearl Harmon and her husband Brian Harmon of Limington, Maine; four grandchildren, Liam and Kaity Brink and Ameila and Claire Harmon; sister, Deborah Jean Fickett and her husband Robert W. Fickett, III of South Paris, Maine; and his niece and nephew, Amanda Lynn Fickett, Esq. and Andrew John Edgar Fickett of South Portland.

A visitation will be held, 1-3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 at the Windham Chapel of Dolby, Blais & Segee, 434 River Road. To express condolences and to participate in Cliff’s online tribute, please visit http://www.DolbyBlaisSegee.com



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