Donald 'Cliff' Thomson, age 61, of Shelton, formerly of West Haven and Woodbridge , passed away suddenly on August 23, 2014. Cliff was born in New Haven on September 5, 1952. He was a 1970 graduate of West Haven High School and a 1972 graduate of Norwalk State Technical College. The son of Donald J. and Jane Ellen Hull Thomson of West Haven. Cliff is also survived by his wife, Joyce Hylwa Thomson; his son Kevin Thomson of Shelton; sisters, Donna Kohler & her husband Paul of New London, Carol Bonyai & her husband Dan of Branford, Patricia Bellmore & her husband Bruce of West Haven, Barbara Pellicano & her husband John of Bethany and Maureen Cavallaro & her husband Sal of West Haven and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Cliff was currently a Customer Engineer for the IBM Corporation, where he has been employed for over 35 years. Over the years he was an Assistant Cub Scout Leader in Woodbridge, a member of the West Haven Irish Club, and a member of the New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee. He cherished vacationing with family and long time friends. His interests included carpentry, tinkering with cars, and attending sporting events. He was most proud of his heritage; designing Irish walking sticks, visiting local Irish pubs, and supporting the Irish celebrations throughout the state. Friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated on Saturday, August 30th, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 81 Center Road, Woodbridge. Cliff's family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 10:00 AM in the vestibule of the church. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, his family wishes that contributions in his memory be made to the Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, P.O. Box 2, New Haven, CT 06510 or the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Dr., Wallingford, CT 06492. Arrangements are in care of BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 Whitney Ave, Hamden, CT.