Clifton "Clif" Walter Roll

Clifton Walter Roll (Clif), age 94, passed away at home on July 23, 2016 in Sarasota, Florida under the care of Tidewell Hospice after a brief bout with cancer. Born at home weighing only two pounds on March 18, 1922 in Roselle Park, NJ Clif was the son of Walter Roll and Mabel Hunte Roll. His only sibling, a twin brother, was stillborn, and the doctor did not expect Clif to survive. Clif's maternal grandmother, determined to keep Clif alive, pinned his diaper to a pillow and improvised an incubator by putting him in the home's gas oven with the heat turned on low, surprising the doctor who returned the following day expecting to sign Clif's death certificate. After graduating from Roselle Park High School in 1939, Clif worked at the Irving Trust Co. on Wall Street in New York City while attending Union Junior College in Roselle, NJ at night. Clif enlisted in the US Coast Guard in 1942 and trained at the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT during 1944, ultimately reaching the rank of LT JG. Serving his country in the Atlantic during World War II as a crewmember escorting US convoys in South Florida, Cuba and the Caribbean and as an officer patrolling for enemy submarines in between Rhode Island and Greenland, Clif was a proud contributor to the US World War II memorial in Washington, DC. The GI bill allowed Clif to continue his education full time after the war, graduating from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ with a degree in Business Administration in 1949. Clif had a long career in the sales and marketing department of what was known as the Jersey Standard Oil company (Esso) in 1941 when he joined them for the first time and what was known as the Exxon Corporation when he retired in 1984, known today as ExxonMobil. Clif was married to Regina Ducceschi Roll of Exeter, PA on January 25, 1947 in Elizabeth, NJ. She preceded him in death on January 9, 2004 just short of 57 years of marriage. Clif distinguished himself as a dedicated and loving caregiver during the last few months of her life. They made homes together in Garwood, NJ, Levittown, PA, Yardley, PA, Bradenton, FL, and Sun City Center, FL. Summers were spent with extended family on the beach in Manasquan, NJ since Clif was a boy. Until moving to his retirement community apartment in Sarasota in January, 2013, Clif was active in the local chapter of the ExxonMobil retirement club. He was an avid ballroom dancer, a competent home gardener, was interested in family genealogy and collecting antiques, wrote his own memoir and a biography of his late wife, played bridge and golf, and loved attending symphony, theater and opera performances. He was responsible for teaching his wife, children and grandchildren to drive. International travel included multiple trips to the UK and Brazil to visit his two children, as well as vacation trips to Europe, Barbados, and Bermuda. A trip to Alaska in 2005 was a highlight as Clif, who had fond memories of receiving letters as a boy from an Uncle who lived in Sitka, was able to visit the site of his uncle's general store and see his business ledgers at the local historical society. Clif is survived by his daughter, Sandra Mangels and her husband Robert Mangels of São Paulo, Brazil and his son Donald Roll and his wife Kathy Withka Roll of London, England and Park City, Utah. He has two grandchildren, Laura Mangels of Berkeley, CA, and Alan Mangels (married to Lisa Friedberg) residing in São Paulo, Brazil and Miami, FL. Family and friends will be gathering, Thursday, July 28, 2016 at 11:00 am at Toale Brothers Colonial Chapel, 40 Orange Ave. in Sarasota. A celebration of life for Clifton will follow at 11:30. Inturnment will be the following day (July 29, 2016) in the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell at 2:30 pm. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Tidewell Hospice in Sarasota. Clif was grateful to have had 94 full and active years. Those who knew him will remember him for his sunny disposition and pleasant demeanor. Clif appreciated the congenial staff at his retirement home, as well as his dedicated personal companions and the special people from Tidewell Hospice for their efforts in making his last days comfortable.

Tributes

Clifton "Clif" Walter Roll

March 18, 1922 - July 23, 2016