Obituary of Stafford Channing Cleveland

One of the few remaining men of “The Greatest Generation” has gone to his final reward and leaves a void in the Melbourne Beach community. Stafford Channing Cleveland “Bud” died peacefully in his home on Saturday, October 17, 2015 surrounded by his loving wife of 66 years, Marilyn Pitcher Cleveland, and his daughters, Candy Wigand of Plantation, Florida and Polly Goss of Raleigh, North Carolina. Bud was born in Elmira, New York October 2, 1926. He attended Elmira schools, graduating 2 years ahead of his class, and was on the crew team at Cornell University prior to enlisting in the United States Navy where he proudly served in the South Pacific during World War II. In 1949 Bud married Marilyn Pitcher, also from Elmira. A Rotarian, Bud owned and operated a very successful insurance agency in Rochester, New York, prior to retiring in 1973 to Stuart, Florida. There he and Marilyn became real estate brokers while pursuing his passion for boating. He is survived by his wife, 2 daughters and their husbands, 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Known by his many friends and family, for his selflessness, generosity, compassion and great sense of humor, Bud will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.