Clarence Albert Buzzell

May 2, 1931 - November 12, 2020

Clarence Albert Buzzell, 89, of Matthews, died peacefully surrounded by family on November 12, 2020. Through the blessing of hospice, he was able to be at home. Clarence was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on May 2, 1931, the son of George and Armenia Crivelli Buzzell. He went to Commerce High School in Springfield where he was a leader in student government and athletics. Clarence was a star athlete, playing and often co-captaining in soccer, basketball, and baseball. After graduating high school in 1949, he was recruited to play in the St. Louis Cardinals minor league as a pitcher for one season. On June 27, 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, Jean Williston. In early 1995 he answered his country’s call to service and enlisted in the United States Navy. After an honorable discharge, he returned home to Springfield. Blessed with a talent to use his hands, Clarence enrolled in the four-year toolmaker apprenticeship program at the Chapman Valve Company in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts where he worked for several years. He and Jean moved to Somers, Connecticut where they lived in the house they built for themselves and their three children for thirty-five years. While living in Somers, Clarence worked as a toolmaker and machinist for Debell and Richardson before getting a position at the C. H. Dexter paper company in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, where he worked for about twenty years before being offered an early retirement during restructuring. After retirement he parlayed his talent in working with his hands into a woodworking hobby, turning out furniture, clocks, mirrors, and other small projects for friends and family. Clarence had a passion for church work and worked as a Sunday School teacher, deacon, and youth leader with several churches while living in Connecticut and had a leading role in the startup of Somers Baptist Church. Clarence wanted his children to have a Christian education and worked overtime to be able to finance a Christian high school education at Dublin Christian Academy in New Hampshire for his two daughters, and a Christian college education for all three children at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. It was while visiting their children on the college campus in Greenville over the course of almost twenty years that he and Jean decided to move down there in 1995 where they lived until 2016 when they made the decision to move to Mint Hill, North Carolina so that their daughter Kerstin, a hospital administrator and experienced health care professional could oversee their medical needs in their later years. Clarence was a big man with a big heart for people. He was always noticeable in church due to his stature; at nearly 6’ 4” he towered over nearly everyone but was a gentle giant with a kind word and encouragement for everyone he encountered. No one was a stranger, and he and Jean would often be the last people to leave church after making sure they had spoken with as many people as possible. Clarence is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jean and their three children: David (wife Dianne) Buzzell of Simpsonville, SC, Barbara (husband Michael) Witkowski of Enfield, CT, and Kerstin (husband John) Liebner of Charlotte. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Drew and Denae; Brianna, Susan and Daniel; and Bethany and John Mark as well as great grandchildren Lily, Dominic and Carter. Clarence is further survived by numerous other family and friends. Clarence’s family has given the family of Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home the privilege of caring for him and for them. Graveside services will be held at 2 pm on Friday, November 20, 2020, at Charlotte Memorial Gardens. Pastor Jeff Smith of Indian Trail will lead the services which will be followed by military honors.