Interview with Mr. David (Dave) Clifton
Hello everyone, my name is Neil Dutta, a Sharon High School Student. – I got the opportunity to interview Mr. Dave Clifton on May 3rd , 2025 at his home in Easton, Massachusetts, on behalf of Volunteering for Seniors, VFS (also based in Easton, MA).
I first met Mr. Clifton at a Sharon Rotary Club meeting. From the moment we met, his warmth and passion for service stood out. Over time, through various Rotary Club meetings, I’ve learned a lot from him and can honestly say, he is one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met.
Mr. Clifton was born in 1941 in Medford, Massachusetts, and was raised with strong values of respect and service, deeply influenced by his family and upbringing alongside his twin sister.
Mr. Clifton’s career spans over 50 years. He first served in the U.S. Army National Guard and began his professional journey in parks and recreation, eventually building a thriving department in Sharon, MA, from the ground up. He served as the Parks and Recreation Director for the Town of Sharon for 40 years. During his 40-year tenure in Sharon, he launched several programs for all ages and abilities, including CPR training for dogs. To commemorate his contributions, he was granted a namesake ballroom (Clifton Lakeside Ballroom) at the Sharon Community Center. For two decades, he has taught CPR and First Responder courses at the Massachusetts Police Academy.
Inspired by his father, Mr. Clifton joined Rotary and rose through its ranks to serve at local, district, and international levels, where he lead humanitarian missions abroad. Not only is he a proud Rotarian, but, a Past District Governor of Rotary District 795, and Past President of the Rotary Club of Sharon—with over 50 years of Rotary service.
During our interview, Mr. Clifton shared with me regarding his transformative experience in India where he was involved with earthquake relief efforts back in 1990s; this highlighted his deep commitment to service and cross-cultural understanding.
He credits his family’s support for enabling his decades of community work and urges young parents to cherish time with their children. In fact, he is well known in the community as a high school basketball coach, and a broadcaster for Stonehill College basketball. Furthermore, Mr. Clifton has spent 15 years co-hosting Service Matters on WPRO Radio, where he spotlighted local service initiatives. Mr. Clifton also currently serves as the Chair of Easton’s 300th Anniversary Tricentennial Celebration.
During the interview, he shares a valuable message to Generation Z and to ‘senior adults’ emphasizing respect, intergenerational connection, and the lifelong value of giving back to one’s community. His message “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of helping others” will motivate young adults like me to help others and serve our community.
Could you describe your childhood, your parents, and your family life growing up?
At the very beginning, Mr. Clifton thanked me for conducting the interview, and for sharing the life journeys of several senior adults through Volunteering for Seniors platform.
Mr. Dave Clifton: “I was born on February 19, 1941. That takes us back a little bit in history. And I was born to the parents of David and Helen Clifton. I’m a junior, my dad was a senior, and of course, my twin sister, Dorothy Irene Clifton. I happen to be the oldest of the twins. I’m 42 seconds older than my sister. But growing up with a twin sister, I think it’s special to have a sister and a brother, but to have a twin is even more special. But my parents were very giving. They were very much interested in promoting the importance of respect and dignity. My grandparents, likewise, and I think they had an awful lot to do with my upbringing in terms of doing what they can. I’m so used to talking about other people, I don’t really spend a lot of time talking about myself. But my early childhood brings back lots of memories. I went to elementary school in Medford, Massachusetts at St. Joseph’s. I went to high school in Stoneham, Mass, and I had the opportunity to serve as a class officer and to do a lot of things that you might be doing in your high school as a sophomore. But I know that growing up with the idea of doing what you can for others, and ‘service was a magic word. I say to many people that the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of helping others’. That’s an important thing to remember. And I say that one of the things that I enjoyed doing when I was in parks and recreation is working with the senior adult population, giving them a second chance at enjoying themselves and doing things that they normally couldn’t do. And here I am now, I am a senior adult. And I’m down to playing basketball only once a week now”.
Mr. Clifton also mentioned that he is “very fortunate health-wise to be able to do the things” at his age. He also elucidates on the importance of parents, grandparents, and siblings in shaping our formative years
Could you tell us about your professional career, especially your time in the U.S. Army and your service in the Massachusetts National Guard? Are there any specific memories from that which you would like to share with us?
Mr. Dave Clifton: “Well, let me start with the military first. I had the honor and privilege of serving in the U.S. Army National Guard for seven and a half years. My basic training was at Fort Dix, New Jersey. And something interesting, of course, I enjoyed basketball. For some reason, I did very well in basketball. And I ended up trying out for the Fort Dix, New Jersey team. I made the team. And I played a couple of games, and then I found out that I was in the Army National Guard, only there for six months. So, they had to release me from the team. But I know that when you join the military, you’re joined for the purpose of doing what you can to help your country out. And the country includes the States, and it also includes your community. But my time in the military was short and brief. I went to summer camp every summer and I climbed the ladder in the military. And very proud to know that I have a family member who’s now a two-star general in the U.S. Marine Corps. And his name, of course, is Ryan Heritage, one of the youngest generals in the U.S. Marines in the Armed Forces. As far as my professional career is concerned, it started when I was in high school. I had my first job, which was a playground leader at the playground back in Medford, Massachusetts. And I had the opportunity to learn about helping people, and to work with the kids and to work with the parents. And it’s something that stuck with me to the point where I took up municipal parks and recreation in college and went to three different universities to learn as much as I could. My first job in parks and recreation was in Franklin, New Hampshire. I took the job and it was a community that wasn’t wealthy. I had the opportunity to learn how to raise funds to run programs because they never had a big budget. I did that for three years and I joined Rotary in Franklin, New Hampshire. And they asked me if I would be president of a club. And that’s the year I moved to Sharon, Massachusetts. I took the job because it was an opportunity to start a new department from scratch and to be able to operate a new community center in Sharon, Mass, overlooking Lake Massapoag. And when I took the job, I had an empty building. It was the former St. Francis Retreat Lodge., 59 rooms overlooking Lake Massapoag, 353 acres. So, the only thing I got from the select board at the time was a key to open the door. There were no light bulbs in the sockets. It was an empty building. So, I had the opportunity to really start from scratch, organizing and planning a year-round recreation program for people of all ages. Yeah, it’s wonderful. And not only that, but my experience came from working in Franklin, New Hampshire and going back to my first playground job. And as I planned and prepared, I had no staff, I had no budget. I only had my salary, and I had the opportunity to show the town people what I could do without a budget. And when the town meeting came six months later, I presented my first budget and the folks in the town of Sharon said, if he can give us a program without money, let’s see what he can do if we give him a budget. That’s how I got my first budget. And off I went. And I saw the programs and the department multiply”. I saw people of all ages, including senior adults, people with disabilities, something for everybody. Even dogs,”.
M.r Clifton mentioned that over the years, he introduced multiple programs including programs for dogs, teaching CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) for adults, even for choking dogs.
“I had the honor and privilege of working in Sharon before retirement for 40 years. And if you were to ask me, would I do the same thing over again, the answer would be ‘yes’.”
M.r Clifton shared a gratifying story with me, where he met a gentleman at Shaw’s in Sharon.
Mr. Dave Clifton: “I’m reminded about a family that I met in Shaw’s shopping centre, and they said, Are you Dave Clifton? And I said, yes, it depends on what you want me for. And they said, “I don’t know if you remember us, but I always remember that youth basketball program where you taught the basic fundamentals to first and second graders.” And I looked at his kids and I said, “Well, gee, I don’t think I was there.” And then he said, “No, I was in your program.” And he said, “I wish my kids had the same opportunity. It was a blessing because it was more than just a program to teach people how to play basketball. You taught them the importance of getting along with each other. And there are other important things beside basketball”.
During the interview, Mr. Clifton mentioned that at the Sharon Community Center (near Lake Massapoag), there is a ballroom dedicated to his name, called the ‘Clifton Lakeside Ballroom.’ His grandchildren often enjoy visiting the center. Congressman Bill Keating, a Sharon High School alumnus, attended a function there and informed Mr. Clifton that he had noticed his name. He further noted that the chief of police and the fire chief were involved in his programs. Mr. Clifton expressed his gratitude to the hundreds of volunteers who, over the years, have contributed their time, talent, ideas, and resources to help turn their dreams (of making Sharon a beautiful place) into reality.
How did you get started in community service, and who or what motivated you?
Mr. Dave Clifton: “Well, I think I got motivated because my dad was a Rotarian. And he used to talk about the good things that Rotary used to do back in Medford, Massachusetts. And he brought me to Rotary meetings like you go to meetings. And I sat there as a young person just listening and I was truly amazed at people wanting to join an organization like Rotary because they wanted to give back to the community. They want to take care of various needs, whether it be people with disabilities, or helping senior adults out, or helping young people that were trying to get into a college for their future or maybe helping young people out that are involved in youth sports. The list is a mile long of things that you can do to help people. And what do you get from doing that? You get a good sense of feeling good because you’re helping others. It wasn’t a paycheck”. He continued “I like the idea of helping people out. And when I think about the good things that people do, I know my family used to be surprised and happy that I’d open the car door when the family got in. Or stopping to help a senior cross the street with her bundles because she was having difficulty. It’s stopping to think about what you can do to help someone out. And that’s all part of community service. And I joined Rotary because of my background and they’re in the helping people business. Their motto in Rotary is Service Above Self. Even Lion’s Club, you know what their motto is? We serve. So that word Serve is a magic word.
Mr. Clifton mentioned that, over the years, many people approached him to express their gratitude for his service. He shared that, while serving as the Director of Parks and Recreation, he undertook multiple fundraising initiatives and said“I had to go out and knock on doors to get money to pay for programs and to help people out. It was more than just recreation. It was helping a family get heat and oil, helping them to take care of their family if they had a fire at home. So, it extended. It wasn’t just about service to a town parks and recreation or with service to the community”.
His main message was that young people should support the communities where their roots lie.
What inspired you to join the Rotary Club, and could you tell us about your accomplishments as a Rotarian?
Mr. Dave Clifton: “Well, I think the number one accomplishment is to join an organization that gives back to the community. But along the way, I’ve had the honor and privilege of serving at the club level, the district level, the zone level, and also at Rotary International. I’ve been the past president of my local club, the Sharon, Massachusetts. To not only do it once, but to come back 20 years later and still be the club president. But I’ve had the honor and privilege of serving at the district level, and I was elected by the district, maybe 70 different clubs, to serve as district governor. And that was District 7950. That included the entire state of Rhode Island, southeast of Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the two islands, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Then I worked at the zone level and became a public image coordinator for Rotary International. And one of the highlights, and I guess there were many highlights, but one that I always think about is serving as a team leader for a group study exchange program that Rotary International has scattered throughout 200 countries around the world.
Mr. Clifton further mentioned that as a Rotary-appointed team leader, he led a group to another country to understand their culture, promote ‘service above self,’ address polio eradication, and explore water resource solutions. Through Rotary grants, they developed community projects, while a reciprocal exchange fostered mutual learning and collaboration. He shared an interesting story about his experience in India.
“I was able to recruit some funds to help India out, in southern India, when they had the earthquake back in the ’90s. And it was something very gratifying. And I had the opportunity firsthand to go to the earthquake site and to see where people lost their family members, that their homes no longer existed, and some lived in caves. And the only thing that one family had was a flag, an Indian flag. And he gave me the flag. And when I got home, after six weeks in India, I thought about that, and I sent him back the American flag and a check to rebuild his home”.
He described his experience in India as deeply meaningful and transformative. Through the opportunity, he not only contributed but also learned about the generosity, kindness, and resilience of the Indian people. He admired their simplicity, hospitality, and ability to face challenges with ease. He recalled being welcomed everywhere with tea and flowers, a reflection of their warmth. Observing their daily life left a lasting impression, highlighting the importance of peace and understanding. Upon leaving India after six weeks, he was overwhelmed by the farewell gesture of a hundred people at the airport, showering him with flowers and hugs—a deeply touching moment he would treasure forever-“It was truly amazing. And as the plane took off and I looked down at Mumbai, and Puna. I said to myself, I’m not sure if I’ll ever see those people again. But it was so gratifying to see that people that didn’t have anything were willing to give you half of what they did have,”.
Can you tell us about your family and how they have supported your journey so far?
Mr. Dave Clifton: “Family’s important. Without family, you don’t have a community. Without a community, you don’t have a nation and a country. And I think that my family’s always been beside me because I could never spend this vast amount of time and hours doing my job or traveling without the supportive family. And the only thing I regret is, I wish I spent more time with my kids growing up. Before you know it, they’re off to college. And I say to parents out there, spend as much time as you can with your kids”.
He shared a story emphasizing how quickly children grow up, urging young parents to prioritize family and cherish time with their kids. He also encouraged family members to support their parents, acknowledging the sacrifices many make to stay close to loved ones. Reflecting on his own journey, he credited his success to surrounding himself with good people and delegating responsibilities across Rotary, the community, and other roles. He emphasized the power of teamwork and advised others to serve with a smile, seek support, and make the most of every opportunity to contribute.
After spending over fifty years as a community leader, your life is an inspiration to many young people like me. What words of wisdom can you share with our generation, Gen Z?
Mr. Dave Clifton: “That’s a good question to ask, Neil. And I often think about it when I see the different generations that I’ve had the honor of being part of. By virtue of the jobs that I had and the responsibilities that I had over the years. And I say to young people out there that, please remember how important respect is and how important it is to give back to others. I think it’s important to set an example, be a role model for people that may be younger than you are. And give respect to the senior adults. I don’t call them senior citizens or golden ages. I like to use the word senior adults. And that’s basically what they are. Nobody wants to feel like they’re an old person. But I’ve got to tell you, when you get young people, and I say this all the time in Rotary, Neil, When you get young people getting together with senior adults, it makes for a healthy decision. People coming together, two different generations. And I think my grandmother and grandfather taught me the importance of respect. And one of the questions that the answers that they gave me is to make sure it stays with you for the rest of your life, not just today because I said it. And it’ll take you a long way. I think it’s important to recognize people. It’s important to say thank you for something that someone does for you. That’s a magic word. It’s important to say please when you’re asking for a special request. And we don’t spend enough time talking about the importance of that. There’s a lot of young people that have got jobs, as a result of it, the way they handle things, being respectful and being tactful in your approach. There’s many ways to say something if you’re angry, but there’s a magic way to say it so that people say: He didn’t agree with me. But he said it to me in such a nice way that I changed my mind. Yeah. And I think that’s important. And I mentioned quite a few times during this interview that giving of yourself, your time and talent is so important. And people that you remember the most were your role models, and what are you going to do for the other generation that comes behind you!”
What do you enjoy doing for fun, in addition to playing basketball, running your own radio show, and engaging in community service?
Mr. Dave Clifton: “I’ve always enjoyed teaching CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, because it can help save a life. And I enjoy teaching the skills of youth sports. I enjoy golfing. I’m not good at it because I didn’t spend a lot of time at it, but I enjoy it. I call it a sport that you can rest at the same time when you golf. And it’s a chance for you to slow yourself down and enjoy the outdoors. I enjoy taking trips and going on vacation when I can. I’m always working around a schedule that I spend time just checking things off that I’ve taken care of and checking more off that I have to do. And it’s the secret of staying young is to stay busy. And I strongly recommend that to senior adults to stay active.”
Please share a message with other seniors who may be viewing this interview
Mr. Dave Clifton: “In the community that how lucky we are to have what we have, to live in our suburban communities, to enjoy life, to enjoy grandchildren, to enjoy family, and to be thankful for the opportunities that you have had over the years to share your time, your talent, and your resources. I think the best way to take care of yourself is to give yourself a priority. You’ve had a wonderful lifetime where you could be part of the changes that have been made in our country and in our world, and certainly in our local communities. It’s because of you folks that we have what we have today. And I say that even to the military people who are retired, that thank you for giving us safety at the home front. And it’s because of you sacrificing your time and your life to do what you can to defend the country. And of course, we’re very fortunate to live in the good old USA. And of course, we can learn every day. It’s the young people out there that are our future. But young people, I say to you, don’t forget the senior adults. They help create the future that you have. And I say, stay healthy to all age groups. Stay active and don’t be afraid to share. Don’t be afraid to tell your stories. And most important of all, be respectful”.