Clifton B. Steele

passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 28, 2010 at his home on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Born on January 30, 1922 he was 88 years of age.Clif attended Santa Ana High School, Class of '39 and the University of Oregon '43, and had been an active participant in his fraternity Phi Delta Theta for the past 65 years.Along with his partner and dear friend Sasha Erlik he founded and co-owned California Casuals in Los Angeles, California. He manufactured and sold women's maternity wear throughout the United States until he retired before he was 60 with every intention of enjoying the fruits of his labors.Anyone who met Clif soon realized that his real passions in life were his family, friends, and the activities and adventures he shared with them. He always said that he never wanted to live where he couldn't see water…that priority took him on his treasured Mexican fishing trips with his sons, surfing in Corona del Mar and the Huntington Beach Pier, dancing at the Rendezvous Ballroom in Balboa, and also included many remodeling projects in Laguna Beach, California, Kauai, and Bainbridge Island, Washington where he lived the last 20 years of his life.A perfect day for Clif was at least one doubles tennis match…a round of golf came in a distant second. The friends he made playing these sports were valued and cherished throughout his life.Unable to play tennis the last few years Clif took his competitive spirit indoors and enjoyed Contract Bridge games at both Wing Point Country Club and the Senior Center of Bainbridge Island on a weekly basis. Of course he enjoyed the people as much as the game and had even hosted a rousing foursome the week before he passed away.He is survived by his wife Stephanie Hoffman Steele, sons Michael Steele of Ashland, Oregon and Kevin Steele and his wife Sandie of Newport Beach, California, his granddaughter Jamison Steele of New York City, New York and grandson Nathan Steele of Boulder, Colorado.Family and friends are invited to share in a celebration of Clif's life at his home on Saturday, May 1st from 2-5pm. Memorial donations can be made to The Senior Center of Bainbridge Island, The Bainbridge Island Volunteer Fire Fighters Association who come on cold dark nights at 3am, and the always present and excellent Hospice of Kitsap County.