With sadness and deep gratitude for a life of service, strength and love, we announce the passing of Clifford P. Barrows, age 82 of Rochester, NH. He passed away at Portsmouth Regional Hospital on June 11, 2026 after months of courageously fighting declining health.

Born on May 22, 1944 in Atlantic City, NJ, Cliff, also known as Butch to his siblings, answered the call to serve his country as a young man, proudly joining the United States Marine Corps. Like many of his generation, he left home to face uncertainty and hardship in defense of his fellow Americans. After completing two tours in Vietnam, he continued his military service and served his country for a total of 22 years. He carried the lessons of duty, honor, and brotherhood with him throughout his life, and remained deeply proud of his military service.

Cliff dedicated himself to building a life, working hard and he cherished his family above all else. His greatest mission became caring for those he loved. He was the proud patriarch of a large blended family, and found joy in being with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, his dog Rocky, friends and neighbors at home and at the campground he and Karen called home in the summer. He delighted in sharing stories, offering advice, and celebrating milestones.

Following his military service of more than 23 years, Cliff continued a career dedicated to protecting others. He served as Head Security Officer at at Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant, and later at the Federal Building in Portsmouth, earning the respect of colleagues and supervisors alike through his professionalism, leadership, and unwavering sense of duty. Throughout his career, he took on some of the most demanding responsibilities in the security field, serving as a SWAT Team Leader and providing security for President Richard Nixon—a duty he carried out with honor and professionalism despite not sharing Nixon's political views. For Cliff, service was about commitment, responsibility, and doing the job to the best of his ability.

The friendships he forged throughout those years became one of the greatest blessings of his life. His fellow officers and coworkers were more than colleagues—they became lifelong friends. Long after retirement, they continued to gather for breakfasts, lunches, and good conversation, sharing stories, laughter, and memories. Those friendships endured for decades and were a testament to the kind of man he was: loyal, dependable, and someone people were proud to call a friend.

Among the many things Cliff could be found doing, he really enjoyed working with his hands, driving his grandchildren around on his golf cart, fishing trips, and flipping pancakes for his church family. Alongside his beloved wife, Karen, he created countless memories on many road trips, always eager to discover new places, meet new people, and enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Together they shared wonderful trips to Nova Scotia, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, experiences that brought them joy.

Cliff found comfort and companionship in the animals, especially Rocky in his later years, that shared his life. He was an avid collector of western memorabilia, beer steins, and many other treasured items gathered over a lifetime. More important than any collection were the friendships he built over the years, at work, at home with his neighbors, at church, or at the campgrounds he and Karen spent summers at.

In his final months, he faced his struggles with the same determination and resilience that carried him through military service decades earlier. Even as his strength faded, his love for his family never wavered. Surrounded by those who loved him, he remained a source of inspiration, dignity, and courage until the end.

He is survived by Karen E. (Perkins) Barrows, his beloved wife of 33 years; his children and step children, Kathy Solis (Rolando Solis) Clifford Barrows, Jr. (Erika Barrows,) Tammy McGowan, John DePolo (Maryann,) Dawn Marie DePolo (John Gainey,) Sheila Leacu (Thomas Leacu,) Jeffrey DePolo and Kara DePolo (Andrea Souza,) his grandchildren, Rolando Jr., Sabrina, Angelo, Emiko, Mika, Clifford James, Lyla, Jillian, John Quincy, Quinn, Luca, Lincoln and Levi, and quite a few great-grandchildren; as well as numerous extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Clifford L. Barrows, Audrey M. (Barnes) Barrows, his wife Polly (Johnson) Barrows, his sister Beverly Anderson, his brothers, William, Mark, Michael and Thomas Barrows.

We honor not only a Vietnam veteran, but a man whose life was defined by service—to his country, to his family, and to everyone fortunate enough to know him. His legacy is not measured only by the years he lived, but by the values he passed on, the families he helped build, and the lives he touched through his strength, humility, and love.

Graveside service with Military Honors will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, 10:00am (10 hundred hours,) at New Hampshire State Veteran’s Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH 03303-2413. Followed by a celebration of life at Meaderboro Community Church, at 12:00pm, 151 Meaderboro Road, Rochester, NH 03867.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Clifford’s name to: https://operationdeltadog.org/about-us/ Operation Delta Dog, 19G Clinton Drive, Hollis, New Hampshire 03049, Training rescue dogs for PTSD support for local veterans.

To express condolences, please visit: www.peasleefuneralhome.com

"May he rest in peace, and may we honor his legacy by living with the same courage, integrity, and devotion he showed throughout his life."