Village of Newark Valley issued this statement Tuesday: “It is with heavy hearts that we acknowledge the passing of Cliff Alexander, husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, Senior Investigator with Tioga County’s Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Chief, Captain, Marine, Trustee, Deputy Mayor, neighbor, friend, so many titles over a lifetime of love for his family and community. The title we will miss the most … friend. We send our deepest heartfelt condolences to Cliff’s wife, Fran, and entire family.”
Clifford Alexander, 51, of Newark Valley, passed away unexpectedly on September 25, 2021. He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Fran; son Dennis ‘DJ’ Whitmarsh; .daughters Samantha (Ken) Card, Stephanie (Rodney) Gee, Amanda (Dave) Chaffee, and Jacqueline (Ian) Vavra; brothers John (Nicchia) Rackett and Tom (Tonya) Rackett; sister Tamara (Scott) Bryant; grandchildren Madison Davis, Katie Whitmarsh, Gavin Stoeckel, Liam Chaffee, Logan Stoeckel, Nathaneal Gee, Gabriel Card, Cooper Card, Eli Gee, and another on the way; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is pre-deceased by his maternal grandparents, Herbert & Norma Alexander, mother Ida Alexander, father Terrance Rackett, mother-in-law Joyce Lewis, and uncle Gary Williams.
Cliff took pride in serving his community, and spent much of his time helping others. He held various positions, including former member and squad captain of the Newark Valley Emergency Squad and chief of the Newark Valley Fire Dept for 4 years. Cliff enjoyed his career in law-enforcement with the Tioga County Sheriff’s Department. Over the years, he served as dispatcher, deputy, and as a senior investigator. He had an excellent work ethic, and was awarded several citations from the Sheriff’s Dept during his time there. Cliff also served on the village board of trustees in Newark Valley and was the current Deputy Mayor. In his spare time, he enjoyed camping, hunting, and watching episodes of The Walking Dead and was an avid Yankee and Dallas Cowboys fan. Above all else, Cliff loved his family dearly. He was a good friend to many and treasured part of his community, and will be greatly missed by all.
