www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, May 1, 2015 | 14 Carley built Cliff's Lawn and Garden from scratch by Ian Holroyd Oakville Beaver Staff "As long as his name is on the wall, he'll always be here." That was the message Dave Carley delivered at his father's funeral, referring to the Oakville business his dad started 33 years ago. Cliff Carley, the founder of Cliff's Lawn and Garden Equipment, died March 27 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 72 years old. Last month (April 18), more than 100 people gathered in the Pine Room at Oakville Arena to say farewell to Cliff. It was a fitting location for his send off, seeing as he spent many years as a hockey coach and convenor for the Minor Oaks Hockey Association. However, Dave said his father's legacy will always be the business he started from scratch more than three decades ago. "We're very proud of what he accomplished," Dave said. "He built this (business) from nothing." As far back as Dave could remember, his dad was always tinkering with lawnmowers in the small shop behind their house. After his career as a truck driver fell through, Cliff decided to open a small repair shop of his own, fixing lawnmowers and the odd chainsaw. Business picked up and Cliff's moved to a larger location on Speers Road. They started selling chainsaws and lawnmowers and the business kept growing and growing. The shop then moved to a 7,000-squarefoot facility at 488 Morden Road where it remains to this day. Dave said most of Cliff's business comes from word of mouth, thanks to a reputation earned over the life of the business. "We still get people coming in all the time saying, `We've been told you guys are the experts,' and `You have to come here if you want answers,' and that makes us feel great, You couldn't talk to him for 15 minutes without him getting his business name in there. He was very proud of what he did and what he made, and he wasn't afraid to say it. Dave Carley Cliff's son HALTON ECO FESTIVAL 15th annual This Saturday, May 2nd · 9 am to 4 pm at the Glen Abbey Community Centre, Third Line, Oakville Featuring: Sciensational Sssnakes!! at 10:30+1:30 · 40 booths · speakers eco cafe · free blue and orange boxes · www.oakvillepeacecentre.org DIAMOND AWARD WINNERS 13 YEARS IN A ROW Cliff Carley that's for sure," he said. Dave said his father relished being in the spotlight and always had to be the centre of attention. Free to attend. A fun, family environmental fair At one time, Cliff was even the lead singer of a rock band. "You couldn't talk to him for 15 minutes without him getting his business name in there," Dave explained. "He was very proud of what he did and what he made and he wasn't afraid to say it." Cliff's Lawn and Garden equipment is the definition of a family enterprise. Dave works there with his younger brother Steven. Dave's wife and his son in-law also work there and his kids have all worked there at one time or another. Dave said his father instilled in them strong family values and that is what will keep his business going well into the future. "Thirty-three years in business and we're still going," he said. WARRANR TY AVAILABLE NOW · FULL-TIME CERTIFIED CONCRETE DESIGNER ON STAFF · SENIOR DISCOUNT · OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE · FULLY GUARANTEED. BEST QUALITY. BEST PRICE. 5 YE A Kids soccer shoes See the Difference a PRO Makes! EXPOSED AGGREGATE & CONCRETE PATTERN SPECIALISTS "THE ORIGINAL" (2002) sale price We Will Beat Any Competitors Offers by OFFICE *Must include our 11 items standard estimate for exposed aggregate 20% Visit our brand new showroom from 9-5 $29.99 FactORy SHOe OUtlet HOURS: Monday-Friday 9am to 9pm Saturday 9am to 6pm Sunday 10am to 6pm from eMIlle SHOeS BURlINGtON 2394 faIrVIew street, BurlINGtoN WWW.PROCONCRETE.COM 905.827.8266 CELL 905.208.8824 905-632-9688 www.factoryshoeoutlet.ca FAMILY OWNED FOR 58 YEARS!