Schuster, Clifford (Cliff) Lorne
It is with heavy hearts and much love, that we announce the passing of Cliff Schuster on December 19, 2025.
Cliff was a man of many talents and had a heart of gold. Music was his lifelong passion. With his guitar in hand, he filled countless gatherings and band practices with songs, laughter, and love – a soundtrack to the moments that defined our lives. A skilled builder by trade, he poured his meticulous craftsmanship and care into every project – whether renovating homes, repairing what was broken, or teaching his sons the value of hard work and patience. When he wasn’t on the job site, Cliff enjoyed being in the kitchen, serving up generous meals to family and friends. His roast beef dinners with yorkshire pudding, perfectly prepared steaks, scrumptious pancakes, and his hearty lasagna will all be missed. Cliff could also be found tending his garden and lawn with Coca-Cola in hand. Ever ready to help and offer advice, his presence will be missed in the neighborhood.
Cliff’s memory will be cherished by his wife, Michele; sons, Adam and Austin; sister, Janice; nephews, Reynold and Christopher (Page); great-niece, Robyn; and father-in-law, Michael Wygera, along with extended family and many dear friends. His love for his family was the foundation on which he built his life.
Cliff was predeceased by his parents, Donald and Margaret (nee Wyss) Schuster; mother-in-law, Adele (nee Hill) Wygera; brother, Denis; and his nephews, Kim and Garth.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.
Our family extends sincere thanks to Dr. Murji and the caring, compassionate staff of the Dr. Gerald Zetter Care Centre. Heartfelt gratitude goes to Nadine who continued to bring the gift of music to Cliff. We also thank the staff at the Royal Alexandra for their gentle and dedicated medical care.
In lieu of other tributes, donations in Cliff’s name may be made to the Zetter Music Therapy Program. https://gss.org/ways-to-support/donate-today/
The Super Bowl is coming up this weekend, and I remember watching the game with Cliff on a few occasions. I first met Cliff when he contacted me about playing drums for the “Robin and the Hoods” band.( While this came about via a suggestion from the group’s former drummer, coincidentally his family was known to ours as our two girls and his two sons were the same age and all danced in the Cheremosh organization). While Robin was the band’s leader, Cliff was the guy who organized rehearsals and jams, contacting the band members the old way, by phone. He used his talents in renovation to insulate and drywall the family garage and turned it into a music space with full PA, amps and drums ready to play. Unfortunately Michele had to park her car outside! Cliff loved rock music, and had his own style of playing, not in most cases copying the original player. He just let it out in his own way. Cliff help upgrade my parent’s condo for sale, and did work on our house as well. There was only one way Cliff worked and that was Cliff’s way. He meticulously cut, carved, contoured, smoothed, primed, sanded and painted. He insisted that everything be perfect. When he became too ill to work he would reluctantly try to supervise me but no matter how much he was affected by arthritis he would inevitable step in to do it right. We lost Robin in 2022 and not long after that Cliff was hospitalized. It was the end of the band. Mike Ross who played keyboards in the last years of the band and I had both played with road bands in younger years. On Cliff’s last day we shared that every so often we just felt like staying home on the night of a Friday music night, but of course we could never let Cliff down, and Robin as well, they both loved those Friday nights. And really once I got behind the drum kit, it was something special. Every so often I would listen to the guys and think: “You know, this is a pretty good band”, and remember that there were times in my younger life I would have given anything to play with guys that good. As Joni Mitchell wrote: “You don’t know what you got till it’s gone.” Farewell old friend, for all of us still on this earth we have our memories. I’ll be thinking about you during the Super Bowl. You would have been cheering on the Seahawks on Sunday, and me the Patriots. Our family, John, Trudy, Kaylen and Justine have made a gift to the music program at the Zetter Centre in Cliff’s memory. Our thoughts and condolences continue to go out to Michele, Adam and Austin and their extended family and to all friends of Cliff.
Our family was very sad to hear of your husband ( father to your sons)
Cliff’s passing. We know that there are many happy memories that you willbshare together to keep him in your hearts.
My heart and prayers are with you Michele, and your precious boys.
May you always remember the joy, and goodness that Cliff shared with you.