Clifford "Cliff" D. Scougal

Carthage - Clifford “Cliff” D. Scougal, 88, passed away at home on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, while surrounded by his family.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc., located at 500 State Street, Carthage, NY 13619. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm in the Lundy Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Wayne Arnold officiating. A graveside service will be held in the spring at Fairview Cemetery.

Cliff was born in West Carthage on November 7, 1937, to the late Clarence and Ruth (Sherman) Scougal. Cliff’s hardworking nature was present from the very start. He spent many mornings as a child making his father breakfast before he went off to school. He devoted many years to doing odd jobs around the neighborhood, often mowing lawns, taking care of the neighbor’s garbage removal, or resetting pins at the bowling alley. As a teenager, Cliff worked for Camp Drum, spent time as a farm hand on local farms, worked for Qubica AMF in Lowville, St. Regis Paper Mill in Herrings, Braman’s Manufacturing, Lofink’s Ford, Burdick’s Dodge Garage, and Firestone Garage.

After attending Herrings School, Cliff was drafted into the United States Army, where he proudly served from 1962 to 1968. He attended basic training at Fort Lee, spent time assisting with the Graves Registration Service, and then spent much of his last years stationed in Germany.

Following his honorable discharge, Cliff worked for New York Air Brake in Watertown for some time. He bought his first garbage route soon after and spent the next 35 years building his waste management business in three different counties, and later added septic services. Cliff also spent eleven years as a school bus driver, transporting many children to the New York State School for the Deaf in Rome. Additionally, he served on the Board of Directors for the Wilna Champion Transportation Association.

Cliff married the love of his life, Margaret, on November 26, 1977, at the United Methodist Church in Carthage.

Retirement did not seem to slow Cliff down in the slightest. He spent many years in the real estate business, often buying and selling houses or acting as a landlord. A lifetime member of the Carthage Lodge BPOE #1762 and American Legion Bassett Baxter Post Number 789, Cliff was dedicated to his community. He was also an avid car enthusiast and spent much of his free time fixing up the eight different classic cars he owned over the years, or buying and selling various cars and trucks. With his entrepreneurial spirit, Cliff never missed a chance to do his regular rummage sales.

Most of all, Cliff was a family man. His whole life revolved around taking care of his beloved family, and he expressed his love through acts of service for his loved ones.

Cliff is survived by his beloved wife, Margaret; his children, Jennie (Thomas) Sabo of Liverpool, Mark Scougal of Petersburg, VA, Brenda Gydesen of Glenfield, Cathy Dale of Chester, VA, and Audrey Stevenson of Watertown; his grandchildren, Nicole, Derek, Amber, Bryan, Jessika, Alexis, Chelsea, Victoria, David, and Dylan; many great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Cliff is predeceased by his parents, Clarence and Ruth; his son, Bryan Stevenson; a grandson, Terry Roehm III; and his siblings, Betty Simmons, Geraldine Perfetto, Doris Kramer, Clarence “Bob” Scougal, Ruth “Ruthie” Sly, David Scougal, and Robert Scougal.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Cliff’s memory to Hospice of Jefferson County, located at 1398 Gotham Street, Watertown, NY 13601, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, located at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Inc., located at WEB PO Box 7410354, Chicago, IL 60674-0354, or to Shriners Children’s, located at PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394.

Arrangements are with Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc., 500 State Street, Carthage, NY 13619. Condolences can be made online at www.lundyfuneralhome.com