In Loving Memory of Clifford George Shatos

1941 - 2024

Clifford George Shatos was born June 6, 1941, the son of Charles Anthony Shatos, Sr. and Olga
Joan (Stankaitis) Shatos, in Athol, MA. The family moved to California where his father found work.
Tragically, Cliff's father died in 1948, and his mother moved the family to Orange, Massachusetts, to
raise the children and be close to relatives.
In 1955, Olga married Frank Maestri, who became "Dad" to Cliff and his brother, Charles. Cliff
graduated from Mahar Regional High School. There he was outstanding player on the football team;
later, he was inducted into the Mahar Hall of Fame for his accomplishments on the field. After high
school, Cliff earned a Bachelor's Degree in Landscape Architecture at University of Massachusetts.
After graduation he took some time off to work as a ski instructor and lift operator at Lake Tahoe
before seeking permanent employment in the San Francisco area.
Clifford served in the United States Army in Fort Carson, CO from November 16, 1966 to August
13, 1968. He was in the military police and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. Given
permission for early release to further his education, he remained in the US Army Reserves until 1972.
He returned to school at University of California, Berkeley, in the fall of 1968, earning a
Master's Degree in Landscape Architecture. After graduation, he was employed by a San Francisco area
firm, Cagwin & Dorward Landscape Contractors, a career that would span over 40 years. In 1971, Cliff
was introduced to Jacqueline Ann Ford (Jacky), a graduate of the University of Texas who had moved to
California for adventure.
Cliff and Jacky married on April 25, 1980 in Marin County, California. They loved San Francisco
and all it had to offer from the ballet to the museums. The annual Bay Area Renaissance Fair was a
favorite event for them. Jacky, an excellent cook, loved to host dinners for their friends… especially a
day-long Thanksgiving feast which included watching a football game. Cliff loved the sport and became
a huge San Francisco 49er fan.
Jacky and Cliff appreciated the beauty of nature in all of its glory. From their home in Novato,
CA, he and Jacky could hike down to San Pablo Bay or up Mount Tamalpais, bike on the paths of Point
Reyes, or explore the trails of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Muir Woods National
Monument. Lake Tahoe was also a favorite vacation spot. They traveled extensively to visit family
during holidays or to attend special events. They also traveled abroad; some of their favorites were,
the Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, England, and France.
Due to health concerns in 2021, both Jacky and Cliff moved to retirement homes near Fort
Worth, TX to be close to family.
Preceded in death by his mother, father, and step-father, Cliff is survived by his wife,
Jacqueline; his brother, Charles Shatos; brother-in-laws: James Ford (Jerry Ruth), John Ford (Janice),
Jerry Ford (Pamela); nieces: Shelley Shatos, Shannon Shatos-Swift, Rebecca Burbridge, Sarah Rich,
Larrisa Ford, Jamie Zacharias, Julia Underwood, Amy Roppolo, and Annie Grashoff; and numerous great
nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Fort Worth, followed by a
service at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial
gifts to be made to the non-profit James L. West Center for Dementia located at 1111 Summit Avenue,
Fort Worth, TX 76102 or the Alzheimer's Association in your area.