Claude W. Atkinson, age 81 of Millville, passed peacefully at his sister's house on Monday December 14, 2015, after a lengthy illness. He was born in Ocean City, N.J. to the late Claude W. Atkinson Sr. and Olive (Sooy) Atkinson. He has lived in Millville for the past 69 years. He attended Millville High School, then joined the Army and served 1 term. Throughout his lifetime he worked as a maintenance man at Armstrong Cork Co, as a welder at the nuclear plant in Salem, and Millville Iron Works. He also built playground equipment for various counties, parks, and individuals. He was a lifetime member of the Millville Elks BPOE 580. He was best known for his cooking and pickling. He loves to share his cooking with his buddies at the Railroad Tavern several times a week. Before his illness, he was also an avid clammer. His clamming buddies were Rich, Lou, Burt, and Pete. He loved entertaining especially Christmas Eve and Barbeques in the summer. He liked taking his grandchildren to the boardwalk and sitting in the back of the truck eating chicken wings and eating fruit salad he made for them, then going back up on the boardwalk and getting ice cream and Johnson's popcorn. He spent most of his time in the summer in his pool house cooking and in his garden or out in his garage welding. He liked to take food to the homeless and go to the lake to feed the ducks and feed the dozens of turkeys in his back yard. He enjoyed nature and animal programs on T.V. also the old cowboy movies. Even though he didn't belong to any Church, he believed in God and Jesus and prayed every day. He would donate money to the church to help the unfortunate. He was a very easy going, giving and caring person that would help anyone who needed help. He loved people and loved to joke around.
Claudie is survived by his wife Doris (Dutton) and her daughter Cathy (Rigoli) Thomas. His son Claude Atkinson and wife Brenda (Wright) of Co, his daughter Barbara (Atkinson) Jeffords and husband Gary of S.C., his daughter Pamela Atkinson of Millville who was there for him thru all his illnesses. His 10 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Edward Atkinson, and 2 sisters Virginia (Atkinson) Albrizio, and Betty (Atkinson) Chain. He is predeceased by his brother Bill Atkinson and 2 sisters Doris Atkinson, and Verna (Atkinson) Jeffrey.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Claudie's funeral service 11 AM Friday at the Barr Funeral Home, 2104 East Main Street, Millville, where there will be a viewing from 10 AM to 11AM. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers the family request contributions be made in his memory to
Inspira Home Care and Hospice, 1138 E. Chestnut Ave, #3B, Vineland NJ 08360