Clifford Anthony "Angel" Farfel, long-time Durango-area resident and "Mayor" of Trimble Hot Springs, died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, Oct. 25 at his home in Hermosa. He was just shy of his 93rd birthday.

Clifford was born on Nov. 18, 1921, to Abraham Farfel and Berta Schoch Farfel. A man of the world, he didn't want to claim any one town as his birthplace. He attended Rutgers University for three years before joining the Army Air Corps in 1942 as an enlisted man. While stationed at Lowry Field near Denver Co. he met the love of his life, Rosemary Anne Cotten, and they were married shortly after in Kearney, Neb. He was immediately deployed to the South Pacific, Saipan, to fight in World War II.

He was awarded Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross and other combat medals during WWII missions flying over Japan as a B-29 tail gunner.

Clifford Farfel served 28 years in the USAF Strategic Air Command posts all over the world. He fought during the Korean War, and his last duty assignment was munitions maintenance Commander Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines... munitions support to the troops of Vietnam War. By then, he had advanced in rank to Lt. Col. He served his country well in war time and in peace time

LT. Col. Clifford A. Farfel retired in 1970.

Lt. Col. Farfel was a lifelong learner, during his service; he completed his college education and earned his Master's degree in education from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

Cliff and Rosemary Farfel moved back home to Hermosa Creek after retirement, and he continued to enjoy jobs that appealed to his many eclectic interests. He was a substitute wood shop and mechanics teacher at Durango High School; he was a back country hunting guide; and he worked at the Purgatory Ski Area, where he established the 'on-mountain' binding mechanic program. It was at Purgatory that his WWII nickname "Angel" esurfaced. A mother who had lost her daughter on the mountain was so grateful that Cliff found the little girl, that when he returned the child to her mother, her mom called him her "angel". The name stuck for the rest of his life.

Angel worked at Purgatory for 35 years. He was a well-known and recognizable character with his flowing white hair, quick smile and mischievous twinkle in his eye. He delighted children and adults alike as the unofficial Skiing Santa during Christmas Holidays. He was always the first with a new joke or outlandish story to entertain his fellow employees and guests on the chairlift. Many a hungry employee appreciated the candy he always seemed give away in abundance.

Angel was a Renaissance Man who made room in every home for a library filled with diverse books, he encouraged his children to read and memorize poetry. Angel loved to sing, his home always resounded with music: Big Band, Classical and Opera. The family recalls his habit of working on his car Saturday mornings while listening to opera blaring on his transistor radio. He played stand up Bass Fiddle in a dance band during his early adult life to supplement his enlisted man's salary for his family. He enjoyed politics and current events and could engage just about anyone in a meaningful conversation, whether you were a Military General, a child on a chairlift or a hunter from Texas.

Angel also loved soaking in the hot springs, he and Rosemary were awarded lifetime passes to Trimble Hot Springs, where employees dubbed him the honorary mayor of Trimble.

Angel was a loving attentive sweetheart and husband to Rosemary during their 70-year love affair. His family said he always kept a small journal with him that included "data" about his wife so that he could bring her the perfect gift as he returned home from a deployment.

Rosemary survives him along with two sons, a daughter, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. They include Douglas and Casey Farfel of Charleston, Utah, and their two children, Bridget and Michael; Timothy and Linda Farfel of Rio Rancho, N.M, and their children Rikki Bear and Joseph; Nanci (Farfel) and Alvie Moore of Hermosa, and their children Desiree and Spencer; and Spencer and Jennifer Moore's children, Pearl and Dylan.

Cremation has occurred. A Mass celebrating Angel's life will be 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, at St. Columba Catholic Church. And in addition a wonderful Summer Celebration of Angel's life will be scheduled in 2015.

Cards of acknowledgment may be sent to Rosemary Farfel 434 C. R. 202 Durango Colorado 81301

Donations in lieu of flowers: Durango Public Library 1900 E. 3rd Ave. Durango Co. 81301

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Durango Herald on Oct. 31, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Clifford Farfel

24 Entries

Corey.

August 18, 2024

From the Schou family
I met the Farfel family in Limestone Me. I was a first grader and was always in with Farfel clan. `Uncle Clif´ always found some way to have me involved.
I last saw Doug, Tim, and Nanci when their family was stationed in Germany.

Cliff and his wife had a strong positive influence on my life. My wife and I even spent a couple of days with them on our wedding trip.

One meets someone like Cliff only once in a lifetime.

1096 and 3080th were a small family.

Cheryl Schlabach

October 25, 2020

Thinking about the whole Farfel family on this special day of remembrance for Cliff. Cliff, Rosemary & Nanci, you are all "angels" in the sky and in our hearts!

Nanci

December 29, 2014

Dad it has been over two months now since you crossed over and the reality is certainly setting in. You are missed everyday and truly the sweetness of so many wonderful family memories are such a gift. People stop me wherever I go and share condolence and stories. You carved your special caring into so many of your friend's hearts. I will forever be greatful for the honor of being your daughter.

Matt Langdon

November 26, 2014

I always thought it appropriate that Angel could always be found skiing the slopes of Purgatory where he would lend a hand or offer everyone a good attitude and friendly smile. For me he was a memorable part of skiing in the 1970's and 80's. Thank you Angel. Rest in Peace.

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Beverly McAllister

November 16, 2014

Fond memories: Taking my children to Trick or Treat at their home on Hallowe'en , and the little black joke book he always carried and continually entered the new ones. My Daddy was in the Army Air Corps too, and as he would have said: Angel had a good run.

Ronnie Pinciotti

November 12, 2014

Hello Rosemary and Farfel family. I wanted you to know that my thoughts are with you as winter comes upon us. I'm sure we can all envision Cliff with his skis on coming down the mountainside. You have a fabulous family with multidimensional attributes. It is my luck to be able to share a slice of your life. Ronnie

Mary Cardin

November 11, 2014

Sweet RoseMary, Nanci and family... what an amazing and loving man you had in your lives. My heart would always melt when I'd see how Angel would love on RoseMary... such romance after all those years! I loved his jokes and the sweet way he would make everyone that came into his home feel special. Such an honor to have known him - thank you for that opportunity!

November 11, 2014

Some of my fondest memories are with Cliff .He would come over to the Blanco Basin and help us pack hunters into the San Juan National Forest.He and my dad were WWII vets as were many of our hunters...oh the storys.What a tragic loss-he was a great man--our WWII vets are a disappearing national treasure-it was an honor to know him Scott Hand

Don Carnes

November 6, 2014

Angel was my friend and neighbor. I will miss our conversations and his contagious smile. Sending my hugs and condolences to Rosemary and all of Cliff's family.

steve perkins

November 5, 2014

I love Angel he was one of my hero's. I used to look forward to the walk and stop and martini time at the homestead. He will be sorely missed I have my memories..Steve Perkins

Jimbo

November 5, 2014

1975 I went to work at Purgatory flipping burgers, my father "Whiskey Mike" an ATC out of ORD said to look up this guy Cliff Farfel who works there. It seems the ATC guys in Chicago knew his way as well! It was not too difficult to find Cliff and I ended up working with him in ski rentals, "at ease", he would say "I'll be in the area all day". "Angel" will be remembered at the base area and far beyond.

November 4, 2014

I am so glad to have known and worked with Angel. He always had a funny off the wall answer for everything. The most amazing thing I found was that he could remember everybody's name on the mountain...both employees and guest skiers. Our "Angel" will always be remembered and loved.

Cheryl Schlabach :)

Doug Branch

November 3, 2014

I will miss visiting with Cliff, talking about books, bears and music. Miss borrowing some tool from time to time. Miss going to town on Wednesday mornings for breakfast with the gang and hearing his jokes while we were eating. He was a good friend and neighbor up in Hermosa.

November 3, 2014

A man with a warm smile and a heart that touched all, and very entertaining. His family is so lucky to have had him as we all were.
Rick Sall

November 3, 2014

My heart is broken. Angel was a one-of-a-kind person. Always upbeat, always there with a smile. My condolences to Nanci and her family.

Mary (Weiler, Joslin) Crotty

Lesley Gannon Meiering

November 3, 2014

Gone but not forgotten...Cliff was such a character. Whenever you met him he made you smile...even if he was complaining about something. I know he will be missed. He was such a bright light up at Purg.

Jim Callard

November 2, 2014

A renaissance man indeed! And a distinguished officer and part of the long blue line. He will be missed, but not forgotten.

Jess Markle

November 2, 2014

Angel was a good friend. I am proud to have known him. I wish him well.

gary mason

November 2, 2014

Simply put, an outstanding, wonderful man in so many ways. I am honored to have known him.

George Usinowicz

November 2, 2014

About 2 years or so ago, Cliff was passing by the Diamond Belle Saloon where we, (Blue Moon Ramblers), were playing. Though he didn't remember our names, he lit up when we asked him to sit in for a song and play Steve Williams' giant bass. We chose a difficult composition, "Fly Me To The Moon", and Jenny Winegardner sang it. Cliff fell right into the "groove", playing it magnificently from deep within his soul. The experience proved to me he was an Angel.

spencer moore

November 2, 2014

The last of a great generation of men. He was an honest and honorable man. I learned a lot from him.

November 1, 2014

Many years ago when I first moved to Hermosa, my Dad came me, he liked to go for walks early in the morning. One morning he arrived back at my house about 2hrs late. I said "dad where the heck were you" He said "I was walking down this road and this old man was painting his fence,we started talking and he was so interesting I helped him finish the job, he told me everyone called him "Angel" My dad went back every morning he was here to "shoot the breeze"
Condolences Nancy and Family Louis L Ciaramella

George Cooper

November 1, 2014

A man who could put a smile on any face, he will be fondly remembered. Condolences to the family.

Steve Stahl

November 1, 2014

Angel was a great man, and he always remembered my children's names whenever I saw him. I loved riding the lift with him early morning on patrol and hearing his great stories of the old days of Purg. Rest peacefully Angel. Thanks for the memories.

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