Tributes

Clifford Raymond Kaskie Jr. (78,) known to all who loved him simply as Cliff, passed away peacefully at his home in San Antonio on February 1st after a long illness. Cliff was surrounded by the quiet comfort of love from his devoted wife Ellen, who never left his side. Born on March 27, 1947, in St. Louis, Missouri, Cliff was the firstborn to Dr. Clifford Raymond Kaskie Sr. and his ever-loving wife Mary Virginia McCormick Kaskie. Cliff was the eldest of four children, and his father’s namesake, as is Cliff’s own son. We find joy in knowing Cliff is now home in Meme & Doc’s arms along with his Father in Heaven. A veteran of the United States Air Force, Cliff went on to explore and refine his talents in a variety of careers following his time in the Air Force. Never content to be defined by a single title, Cliff’s restless intellect drove the machine called curiosity, and he understood the value of exploring and engaging with the world he was blessed to live in. From USAF pilot to insurance salesman to used bookstore owner; from Catholic school headmaster to stockbroker, Cliff continued broadening his horizons after retirement by guiding bus tours to the Hill Country. His appetite for knowledge and experience was insatiable. Along with his treasured parents, those who precede Cliff in death are all his beloved aunts and uncles, one brother-in-law, Charlie Miller, Cliff’s in-laws Chuck and Ellen Miller, and one daughter-in-law, Janet Kaskie. Cliff is survived by his attentive and loving wife Ellen (neé Miller) of nearly 39 years and their two beloved pups, Rufus & Bella. In addition, Cliff is survived by his three younger siblings along with their spouses and children. Cliff’s siblings are Mary Virginia “Gina” Bussmann and her husband John, Margo Knorr and husband Rob, and Jim Kaskie and his wife Jane. Cliff had two children from his first marriage, his daughter Jennifer Kaskie Schulze and her husband Harlan, and Cliff’s son Clifford R. Kaskie III and his late wife Janet Kaskie (neé Black.) There are a total of five grandchildren for “Papa” and so far, one great grandson, Ethan, plus two great granddaughters due this spring. Papa delightedly believed there would be many more to follow and we all share in that delight! The grandchildren are Aaron Schulze and his wife Arlinda, Brenna Chapman and her husband Chad (& their son Ethan,) Corinne Barrera and her husband Carlos, Jessica Kaskie and Rae Kaskie. Cliff would be smiling greatly in Heaven if he knew those who share in our grief took the time to sip on some Scotch (or drink a beer) while listening to some John Philip Sousa marching music or that old fashioned “champagne music” from the Lawrence Welk Show! If your name was in Cliff’s cell phone, it can be assumed there was a Polka piece assigned as your ringtone for when you called him. In keeping with Cliff’s wishes, there will be no visitation or wake, rather, a Traditional Latin Mass preceded by the Rosary at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 20th. This service is being held at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Chapel, 7815 Orland, San Antonio 78213, and will follow with his burial at Mission Park Retama Cemetery on Lookout Road. True to Cliff’s practical nature, he asked that in lieu of flowers, if you wished to honor his memory , to please consider making a donation to one of his three favorite organizations… all causes that captured Cliff’s values and his compassion for our four-legged friends as well as for those in need. The Bulverde Humane Society Heifer International Mercy Ships

Tributes

Clifford Raymond Kaskie

March 27, 1947 - February 1, 2026