DELMAR- Clifford M. Beach, 77, of Delmar, died Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury. He was born April 21, 1935 in Delmar, a son of the late Joseph I. And Lettie Melson (Goslee) Beach. Clifford graduated from Delmar High School with the class of 1953. He retired in 1995 after a career of 32 years as an insurance agent for Prudential Insurance in Salisbury. He was a 50 year member of the Delmar Volunteer Fire Department, where he joined in 1960. He served as president in 1974, and was also past treasurer, building committee chairman for the new fire station, engineer and chief driver and through the years served in various other capacities. He was a long time member of St. Stephen's United Methodist Church in Delmar. Other memberships include the Delmar Lions Club, the Delmar Alumni Association, the Delmar Boosters Club and he was a social member for many years of the Delmar VFW Post 8276. He served on the Delmar Town Council for a number of years. In his earlier days he enjoyed coaching in the Delmar Little League and Sr. League. He loved sports and was an avid NASCAR fan, and lifelong Orioles and Baltimore Colts fan. He was passionate about gardening and cooking and was a true animal lover. He anxiously awaited spring each year as he prepared his birdhouses for the arrival of the Purple Martins. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Phyllis Twilley Beach; 2 sons, Barry Clifford Beach and his wife, Donna of Oakton, VA and Brent Craig Beach and his wife, Jada of Grasonville, MD; 3 grandchildren, Payton, Gabrielle and Cambell; a sister, Peggy Beach Ward of Delmar; and a brother, Howard S. Beach and his wife, Jean of Selbyville. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Beach Brickhouse; and 3 brothers, Robert "Bob" S. Beach, Joseph Douglas Beach and an infant brother, James Donald Beach. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, July 27, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Short Funeral Home in Delmar, and also on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Stephen's United Methodist Church, 101 E. State Street in Delmar, where a fireman's funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. The Reverend Phyllis Walton will officiate. Interment will follow the service at St. Stephen's Cemetery in Delmar. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to St. Stephen's United Methodist Church, 101 E. State Street, Delmar, DE 19940, or Delmar Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 243, Delmar, DE 19940 or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Delaware, 100 West 10th Street, Suite 209, Wilmington, DE 19801. Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com