On August 21, 2023, CDR Clayton C. Mamele USN died peacefully in his sleep, two months shy of his 99th birthday. Clay was strong, sharp and witty to the very end.

Clay was born on October 22, 1924 in upstate (very cold) Rome, New York to Charles and Vera Mamele. His father died when Clay was 5 years old. His young mother moved Clay and younger brother Pete to his grandparents farm in Osceola, New York (even colder).

At age 18 and the valedictorian of his class, he joined the U.S. Navy as World War II broke out. His first assignment was to a bomber squadron on the Aleutions Islands. Thus began his love affair with Navy aircraft. During the Korean War, the Navy advanced his knowledge and skills with Jet Aircraft and he became a commissioned officer.

In 1960, he was assigned to a heavy attack Vigilante squadron in Sanford, Florida. In1966 and 1967, during the Vietnam War, Clay and his squadron were deployed for two consecutive years to the Gulf of Tonkin aboard the nuclear aircraft carrier, Enterprise. A tremendous sacrifice for such a devoted family man. The Navy rewarded Clay with the rank of Commander and assigned him as military of attache to an Air Wing of the Royal Navy outside of London, England. He ended his 30 year military career as a Commander in the North Atlantic Fleet Air Wing with the responsibility of keeping the fleets most advanced aircraft flying.

At the beginning of World War II, Clay found the love of his life in a town near Hollywood, California. Sally Hoff, a beautiful farm girl from South Dakota was an undiscovered star who could sing, dance, play the piano and light up the room. After the war, on January 14, 1946, Clay married that undiscovered star and began a 70 year honeymoon that took the two farm kids around the globe. Their 70 year honeymoon was briefly interrupted by four children, Charles, Richard , Dale and Kathryn. "Poppe" was loved and adored by six grandchildren, Carly, Jenna, Chris, Ashley, Chaz and Colt and six great-grandchildren, Harper, Holland, Liam, Eliza, Storie and Madeline.

Upon retirement from the Navy in 1974, Clay and Sally embarked on a 40 year mission of volunteer service to the poor through the St. Vincent De Paul Society. They served on various boards to ensure that food, shelter and clothing wer provided to the needy. Clay drove thousands of miles to acquire food for a pantry that is now known as "Clay's Pantry". He accomplished this while constantly draining blood from his body, having donated 55 gallons to the blood bank.

Clay was a man of great faith, kind and humble, possessing a great sense of humor. His devotion to God, country and family was beyond reproach. Although highly decorated, his proudest accolade came from the young men under his command, who returned each and every year to the Navy reunions to thank him for the guidance, care and the impact he made in their lives.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Lohman Funeral Home, 1201 Dunlawton Avenue, Port Orange, Florida (386) 999-4887. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea, 4000 S. Atlantic Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, Florida (386) 427-4530, followed by the burial at 2:00 p.m. at Pine Forest Cemetery, 1801 N. Donnelly Street, Mt. Dora, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, Clay would appreciate any donations be sent to:

St. Vincent de Paul Society

218 Ocklawaha

Eustis, Florida 32726

Attention: "Clay's Pantry"