Clifton Peabody Elliott

TOPSFIELD – Clifton Peabody Elliott, 97, of Topsfield, beloved husband of the late Annabelle (Dixon) Elliott, passed away peacefully on January 24, 2026, just weeks shy of his 98th birthday, at Masconomet Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Topsfield.

Born in Danvers, “Cliff” was the son of the late Donald C. and Mildred (Littlewood) Elliott. He was raised and educated in Georgetown, and was a graduate of Perley High School, Class of 1946.

Cliff was drafted into the United States Army on October 2, 1952, and honorably discharged on October 4, 1954. He served in Korea on the 38th parallel as a member of The Tropic Lightning, 25th Infantry Division. Cliff, who was a mail clerk, company clerk and then first sergeant for his company, remained in contact with one of his fellow combat veterans for the rest of their respective lives. Cliff received the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal from the Republic of Korea on October 20, 2017.

Cliff’s entrepreneurial spirit became evident early in his life. A youngster himself, he offered pony rides to the children at Camp Leslie for 10 cents a ride! In September 1949, at just 21 years old, he bought a retail coal and oil business in Topsfield which became C & C Elliott, Inc. His brother, Clayton Elliott, joined him in the business. The business, in operation for 39 years, expanded over time, first with the purchase of their father’s company, Elliott Bros. (Georgetown) and 2 other local companies becoming Elliott-Sargent (Merrimac) and Elliott-Hersey (Beverly) and next with the formation of Elliott Trucking, which, in addition to delivering gasoline to multiple gas stations, delivered jet fuel to Logan Airport. In the early 1960’s, British Petroleum Co. (“BP”) of London, England selected C & C Elliott’s residential fuel distribution system to be copied and used in 20 foreign countries where domestic heating was just beginning to be used. The equipment, developed by and used exclusively at the time by C & C Elliott, was deemed “the most modern in the world” and was photographed by a British film crew for use in a BP training film.

Cliff married his wife, Annabelle, on August 26, 1950, and they lived and raised their daughter, Jennifer, in Topsfield for the remainder of their lives. Continuing his life of service, Cliff held many positions in Topsfield including forest warden, weigher of coal, inspector of petroleum and as a member of the Communications Committee. In 1950, Cliff joined the Topsfield Fire Department. He became Deputy Chief in 1955 and served as Chief from 1970 until his resignation in 1982. Topsfield selectmen “reluctantly” accepted his resignation and voted to appoint Cliff honorary fire chief for life, the first time in Topsfield that a municipal employee had been given an honorary position.

Cliff was a director of the Topsfield Fair for 20 years and served as its president in 1971 and 1972. He ran the horse and oxen pulling competitions for many years. A highlight of his tenure of president was presenting a silver platter to Duke Ellington, who performed with his orchestra that year at the fair. Cliff’s involvement with the fair continued throughout his life. His commitment was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement award presented in 2016. In his blue Cadillac convertible, he drove many “Mrs. Essex County” winners in local parades. In the most recent years, you would find Cliff, wearing his signature red hat, on Friday night at the arena competing in the antique tractor pull with his 1940 Ford 9N which he lovingly restored.

In addition to running C & C Elliott, Cliff made, by hand, thermcaps for chimneys in his company, Ell Mfg. Cliff was also a Trustee of the former Danvers Savings Bank beginning in 1962 and serving in that capacity for 40 years. In January 1965 he became a Director of the Essex County Co-operative Farming Association (“the Co-op”). He was elected President of the Board of Directors 2 years later, in April 1967. He held that position for 46 years, until his retirement in the fall of 2013. He was named President Emeritus upon his retirement and continued to attend board meetings, his last on November 5, 2025. Simply put, Cliff loved the Co-op, especially witnessing its growth from 1965 to winning Massachusetts Retailer of the Year in 2023 and National Retailer of the Year for 2023-2024.

An active and dedicated Mason for 70 years, Cliff joined New Meadows Lodge A.F. and A.M. in 1955, Scottish Rite in 1957, Consistory in 1958, Aleppo Shrine in 1971 and Supreme Council (receiving his 33rd degree) in 1985. He was a past master of New Meadows Lodge. Cliff exemplified the Masonic tenets of honor, faith and service.

Cliff had many interests, including antique cars, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. While snowmobiling, Cliff realized how tiring holding the throttle could be. To rectify this, he invented a throttle control lever for which he received a patent in 2006 at the age of 78 years! A true handyman, Cliff could fix anything and get it working again. In what little free time he allowed himself, Cliff enjoyed trips to Stowe, Vermont where, not surprisingly, he formed lasting friendships.

One of Cliff’s neighbors summed it up best – “Cliff gave more to this town and country than he took. Not many can say that.” Husband, father, brother, uncle, friend and neighbor. You will be deeply missed but will be cherished in our hearts forever.

Cliff is survived by his daughter, Jennifer, of Concord, New Hampshire; his corgi grand-dogs; his brother, David Elliott and his wife, Anne of Groton, Massachusetts; many nieces and nephews; and countless friends. He was the husband of the late Annabelle (Dixon) Elliott and brother of the late Clayton Elliott, Leon Elliott, Marion (Elliott) Chase, Doris (Elliott) Brown and Jean (Elliott) Cook.

Cliff’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Uniting With You Home Care, Masconomet Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center and Harborside Hospice for the excellent care, support and kindness they provided to Cliff in recent years.

ARRANGEMENTS: Cliff’s funeral service was privately held with burial in Pine Grove Cemetery, Topsfield. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals - Celebrations, 167 Maple St., (Rte 62) DANVERS. Donations in Cliff’s memory may be made to the Friends of the Topsfield Council on Aging, P.O. Box 173, Topsfield, MA 01983 or to the Shriners Children’s, Attn: Office of Philanthropy, 2900 N. Rocky Pointe Drive, Tampa, Florida, 33607. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.