Clifford N. Bohnson, 74, widower of Pamela Bohnson, of Phoenixville, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2008, in his residence.? Born in Queens, NY, he was a son of the late Charles and Elizabeth (Beckel) Bohnson.?
Cliff began his career in music as a boy soprano at the age of 6, before becoming head Chorister at the Episcopal Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew in Brooklyn, NY.? While working as an electrician for his uncle's electrical business, Cliff studied the organ with Frank C. Smith and David Drinkwater, beginning his life long career in Church music. He accomplished the titles of chorister, choir director, organist, and composer.?
He served in the United States Air Force where he was a Chaplain's Assistant from 1955-1960.? He then went on to attend Rutger's University under the GI Bill and graduated in 1972.? ?
Cliff served as Organist at St. Joseph's Episcopal Church in Queens Village, NY, Organist and Choirmaster at St. Michael's Episcopal Chapel in New Brunswick, NJ, St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Keyport, NJ, St. Peter's RC Church in New Brunswick, NJ, Cathedral of the Air in Lakehurst, NJ, St Peter's Episcopal Church in Medford, NJ, Grace-St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Mercerville, NJ, St. Phillip's Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, St. Lucy's RC Church in Philadelphia, and most recently was the Director of Music at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Phoenixville.?
He formerly was the Music Director of the Trenton Diocesan Choir from 1975-1978, was Composer-in-Residence for the Washington Memorial Chapel, was former administrator and composer for the Valley Forge Choir of Men and Boys, and former Dean of Ocean County Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO). ?
Currently, Cliff was President of the Resident's Association at St. Peter's Place in Phoenixville, and was the organizer and leader of the Phoenixville Senior Memoir Group.? He continued his active membership in the Philadelphia Chapter of the AGO, the Capital Singers/Trenton Community Chorus, and the Music Club of Princeton.? His interest included Liturgical Music, the organ, musical composition and creative writing.? ?
Cliff was also dedicated to pleading the cause for the homeless, the elderly, and those forced to use public transportation.? He wrote letters to local officials and to Septa in order to make amendable changes to the Rt. 99 Bus and was interviewed on August 22, 2008 by "The Phoenix."? He was also an advocate for new senior housing in Phoenixville.? ?
One of Cliff's anthems, "A Prayer of St. John Neumann," was premiered by the Adult Choir of the Cathedral-Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia as part of a fund-raising concert to send the choir to Rome for the canonization of Bishop Neumann, and was sung around the Diocese for some time after that in local Churches in the greater Philadelphia area.? The Valley Forge Choir of Men and Boys has performed his anthems and hymns in several venues, including among others, the Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge National Park, St John's in Norristown, St. Luke's in Lebanon, and Ripon and Carlisle Cathedrals in England.? For more detail on Cliff's life, compositions, and writings, please visit his website at www.CBohnson.org. ?
Surviving Cliff is his dear friend and companion, Bonita Shapiro, M.D., and her children Seth and Zachary, who cherished him like a father.?
A Memorial Service will be held in Cliff's memory on Saturday, December 6, 2008, at 10:30 AM at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 121 Church Street, Phoenixville, Pa.? Officiating will be the Rev. Dr. Koshy Mathews.? Interment will follow in the St. Peter's Memorial Garden.? In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 121 Church Street, Phoenixville, Pa 19460, please memo Music and Outreach Ministries.? Condolences may be offered online at www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com.? Arrangements are being handled by the Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Main Street at Fifth Avenue, Phoenixville.? ???