Peabody – Clifton E. DeGrasse, 79, beloved husband of Claire L. (O’Rourke) DeGrasse, died Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at the Mill Town Health and Rehabilitation Center in Amesbury.

Born in Boston, he was the son of the late Clifton and Marguerite (Pierce) DeGrasse. He was raised in Manchester-by-the-Sea and was a graduate of Manchester High School.

Mr. DeGrasse had owned and operated DeGrasse Canvas Shop in Manchester for many years until the time of his retirement. Prior to that, he had worked for American Canvas Company in Boston. Cliff was skilled in patterning various canvas bags as well as boat covers and awnings. He had a keen eye for detail.

Cliff enjoyed constructing model ships, and reading books about Maritime History. He loved visiting boatyards and ship building facilities. Cliff was happiest driving his car along the back streets and country roads of New England.

He was a longtime resident of Manchester- by- the- Sea, prior to his moving to Peabody.

In addition to his wife with whom he shared forty-one years of marriage, he is survived by a sister, Pam Smith of Wareham, sisters-in-law, Sister Patricia Anne O’Rourke, SNDdeN of Ipswich, Kathryn M. Milnes of Palm Coast, FL and Mary E. Poole of Salem, a brother-in-law, Paul F. O’Rourke and his wife, Nanine of Chaska, MN and several nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Rosemary Marshall and brother-in-law of the late John Smith, Russell Milnes and Robert Poole.

ARRANGEMENTS: His funeral services will be private. Arrangement by the Conway Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. For online guestbook please visit www.ccbfuneral.com.