CLIFFORD T. DUPHINEY

FAIRFIELD – Clifford T. Duphiney, 71, died Tuesday Aug. 30, 2005, at Thayer Hospital with his wife and daughter at his side, after a long period of ill health. Cliff was born Aug. 7, 1934, in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., the son of Raymond and Ann (Costigan) Duphiney. After graduation from Catholic schools, he attended the Julliard School of Music and The Art Student’s League, both in New York City. He then served with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Grackle, where he was a member of the Frogmen team. He retired from the service as a Lieutenant JG. At the age of 12, his musical career began when he formed and lead his own 12-piece band, the Cliff Duphiney Orchestra, which played throughout Westchester County, N.Y. Following his stint in the U.S. Navy, he formed a trio called “My Three Sons,” and played nightclubs throughout the country including the Sahara and Thunderbird hotels in Las Vegas. During his childhood, he developed a love for horses which continued throughout his life. During his career as a professional musician, he also rode the rodeo circuit and worked as a stuntman in movies which lead to his show name, “Cowboy at the Keyboard.” His performance at the organ keyboard so impressed the Hammond Organ Company that they provided him with a custom-built organ and gave his performance the title “Sounds Impossible.” Cliff went on to make several RCA recordings of his organ music and vocals. After 10 years on the professional circuit, he was ready for a slower pace and came to Waterville where he performed at the Ferris Arms Hotel. There he met his future wife, the former Judy Shorey. They married Sept. 24, 1967 and hit the road together with his organ and two horses, his stunt horse, Babe, and Judy’s wedding gift, an Arabian horse named Jude, whom he often rode in local parades. They traveled for a year to finish out Cliff’s professional contract before settling in Fairfield. Their daughter, Kellie, was born Sept. 2, 1968. The family’s Fairfield Riverside Ranch was known for its stable of magnificent Arabian horses. Cliff continued his musical career for many years in the state of Maine at such places as the Jed Prouty Tavern in Bucksport, The Carriage Inn in Pittsfield, The Silent Woman in Waterville, the Augusta House, the Country Loft in Troy and the American Legion in Waterville as well as many others. As a child he had taken art lessons as well as music lessons and in the late 1970s, while still working as an entertainer, he again picked up a paint- brush and mastered his portrait skills. He soon opened Judy’s Art Gallery in Fairfield and began giving art lessons and music lessons. In the past several years, he has done portraits of many famous performers and politicians. Cliff was a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Western Artists Association and the Arabian Horse Association. He is survived by his wife, Judy of Fairfield; his daughter, Kellie Duphiney-Begin and her husband, Brian Begin; and his grandson, Stark Duphiney all of Fairfield; his sister, Colette (Duphiney) Berger and her husband, George Berger, of Danbury, Conn.; his niece, Wendy Devine and her husband, Mike, of Carmel, N.Y.; several aunts and cousins. The family wishes to give special thanks to Dr. George Boccia, Cliff’s friend and physician at Togus Veterans Hospital and the staff at Togus who took such great care of Cliff in the last few years. Grateful thanks also go to the staff of the Fairfield Rescue Unit for their dedication, their friendship and understanding throughout the years. Visiting hours are being held 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 4, at Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield. Graveside services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5, at Maplewood Cemetery, Maple St., Fairfield. Friends are invited to the Duphiney Riverside Ranch, 296 Main St., Fairfield, following the service. Donations in Cliff Duphiney’s name may be made to the Fairfield Rescue Unit, care of Fairfield Treasurer, P.O. Box 149, Fairfield, ME 04937. Condolences may be expressed at www.lawrybrothers.com. Arrangements are with Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield.