Like others in Killingworth, Mark Clifton was part of the parade that celebrated the town’s 350th anniversary. He drove the tractor that pulled the procession’s last float, a wagon that carried members of the Killingworth Ambulance Association.
Appropriately, Clifton sat in front of them, as he has for many of the 35 years he spent on the KAA’s board of directors. And, as the parade wound its way up Route 81, passing hundreds of spectators, he found himself marveling at the crowd – not just because of its size but because of its behavior.
People applauded, with dozens nodding as they called out, “Thank you” to the KAA.
“That was the first time I heard that,” Clifton said. “It was moving to have that many people appreciate what we do.”
It would not be the last time he would hear it.
Later that afternoon, the message was repeated – only now it was to Clifton himself. He was named the Killingworth Lions Club 2016-17 Citizen of the Year, an award that dates back to 1971 and that is given annually to residents who excel in leadership roles while performing community service.
First Selectwoman Cathy Iino made the presentation at the town’s Parmelee Farm – a 132-acre site Clifton and other volunteers helped clear and create years ago. Citing Clifton “for all that has done for our town and its people,” Iino called Clifton on stage to present him a framed proclamation that caught at least one audience member by surprise.
“I was totally clueless I was going to get an award,” Clifton said.
He shouldn’t have been. Mark Clifton has spent decades in public service in Killingworth. As an EMT, he is called on emergency ambulance runs in the middle of the night (“We call it the Three in the Morning Club”). He served for eight years on the town’s Municipal Land Use Committee. He sat for over three decades on the KAA board, both as president and chief of service. And, along with wife Patty, he spent the past 40 years running Deer Lake, a Boy Scout wilderness training center that offers day and residential camps, wilderness school and team-training programs.
But there’s more than that. Mark Clifton has been an invaluable resource to persons like Iino, who relied on his experience, knowledge and willingness to help over the years … and who finally had a chance to express their gratitude.
“Mark has not only done the things that we specifically honored him for,” Iino said, “but, as an advisor to me and others in the Town Hall, he’s been invaluable because he understands the system. He’s just great. He’s so totally about not aggrandizing himself. He’s one of the people who makes the community work. We wouldn’t be the great community that we are without it. I love him.”
She is not alone. In naming him Killingworth’s 2016-17 Citizen of the Year, Iino cited Clifton for “passing on the values of honesty, hard work, high standards and community service to his children, Forrest and Hillary, and countless other young people who have looked at him as a father figure.” But Clifton insisted he wouldn’t have been able to serve them without additional help – and he made sure to mention it when he heard Iino’s praise.
“You can never overstate the importance of one’s spouse allowing folks to serve in a volunteer ambulance or fire capacity,” he said. “Often, you’re running out at the wrong time, and you’re making stress for your family. The spouses of volunteers are so important in allowing us to serve in that capacity, and I’m very grateful.”
After receiving the award, Clifton was stopped by a passerby.
“So how meaningful is this to you?” he wanted to know.
Clifton thought a moment before answering.
“It’s huge,” he said. “It’s nice to be recognized. Both of my parents were civic oriented and involved in a lot of things, and I’m sure they’re proud of me now.”