Donald I. Clough

WEST GARDINER – It is with great sadness Donald I. Clough passed away Jan. 26, 2024, from pneumonia as the result of COVID 19 at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Togus.

He was born at the Augusta General Hospital (along with twin, Dorothy) on April 19, 1931, to Irving and Elizabeth (Starbird) Clough. After a short period of time, they went to live with their grandparents in Bowdoin. He stayed in Bowdoin until his grandmother had passed and his grandfather became ill, moving to Hallowell with his mother. Although Don had a humble beginning, he found hard work and the little things in life were virtues he lived by, but above and beyond, he had an internal drive that made him the man he was. His heart and soul went into everything he did.

Beginning as a young teenager, after his school day was done and weekends, he would go to work until darkness set in. He worked at several farms, set pins at a bowling alley, was an assistant to a farrier (they enjoyed beans cooked over the forge) and during part of his high school years, lived with the Harwoods in West Gardiner, skidding logs out of the woods, tending their horses and giving riding lessons one summer.

Don graduated from Hallowell High School in 1948. After, he worked for a small construction company, plowed snow, and spent one summer working in the Haynesville woods.

Don was drafted in 1951 into the U.S. Army to serve in Korea. He earned the rank of staff sergeant.

Upon his return from Korea, he went to work for H. E. Sargent Construction Company as a bulldozer operator, later becoming a grader operator. Several have since said he was the best grader operator in the State. Don liked what he did and had great respect for Herbert Sargent but after several years he felt it was time to pursue a business of his own.

Don built a garage and started selling and repairing vehicles, later adding towing to his business. As time went on, he added boats, motors and snowmobiles and Clough Auto Marine was established. His business was prospering, and he now felt it was time to fulfill his dream of having helicopters, so Clough’s Helicopter Service came to be. He had a fleet of two including a Sikorsky. Don was elated to get his pilot’s license in 1972.

Clough Auto Marine was growing in leaps and bounds, becoming one of the most successful Arctic Cat dealerships in New England so it was time to add a new element – motorcycles. Don opened another shop in Augusta to accommodate.

In 1978, Don purchased property on the Kennebec River in Randolph – it was time to leave West Gardiner and construct a fully operational marina (Clough Marine) which included two new buildings. He restored the pier, added a wharf, had several moorings and gas available for the boats and yachts.

Once the marina was fully operational Don obtained the Kabota tractor franchise and Clough Machinery came to be at the West Gardiner building.

Don decided to sell the marina in 1988 and fulfill a dream. He purchased two Clydesdale horses, a semi-trailer, a show wagon and went into showing them (Clough’s Clydesdales). In a few short years Don added seven more Clydesdales, another show wagon, two carts, eight patent leather show harnesses and traveled with two tractor trailers attending shows all over. The most gratifying show was in Topsfield, Mass. competing against Clydesdales and Shires from all over New England. Don was so very proud that three of his horses received the honor of Grand Champion in 1988, Reserve Grand Champion in 1989 and Champion Mare in 1990.

He started pursuing and restoring antique Fordson tractors (sad rusted relics) traveling throughout New England in order to complete every model tractor from 1918-1936, each completely restored and in running condition. Don became well known in the Fordson community and was contacted by the National Golf Federation to restore a replica of Arnold Palmer’s fathers 1922 Fordson fairway tractor, a surprise for his 75th birthday. Arnold was overjoyed!

Don’s next goal was Caterpillar bulldozers, once again restoring all the gas models from the 10 to the 60 and diesel models D2 through the D9.

He was so very proud of the Euclid TC 12 twin engine dozer that he purchased from H. E. Sargent. It was hauled out of the woods appearing to be in disrepair, but not to Don. When completed, it was a monster of a machine that was a sight to behold. Don was so pleased Herbie Sargent came to see it in person.

This special man will be sorely missed!

Don was predeceased by his parents; stepfather, Carlton Miller; twin sister, Dorothy Sproul, sister, Phyllis Clark; and son, Scott Clough.

Don is survived by his wife, Sylvia; daughter, Lana LaPlant-Ellis and husband Cameron, son, Delbert Clough and wife Jane; sister-in-law, Ann Barry and husband Sonny, sister-in-law, Joanne Maddox; several nieces and nephews; special friend, Laurie Beaulieul and his faithful dog, Dikky.

We would like to thank the staff at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Togus for the care they gave and their kindness.

Don’s visiting hours will take place in the spring on Saturday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to noontime, at the West Gardiner Rod and Gun Club, followed by a private family burial in the family cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com

Don LOVED animals; donations in his memory can be made to the Kennebec Valley Humane Society, 168 Leighton Road, Augusta, ME 04330