IN MEMORIAM
Clifton Joseph (‘C.J.’) Hebert III, 51;
Cooperstown School Superintendent
RICHMONDVILLE – Clifton Joseph Hebert III (“CJ”), 51, Cooperstown Central School District superintendent, died Sunday, March 20, 2016, near his home in Cobleskill from injuries received in an ATV accident.
Born Dec. 6, 1964, to Clifton Joseph Hebert, Jr. and Doreen Draper Hebert, CJ was raised in Natural Bridge, near Watertown, and graduated from Carthage High School. He received his BA from SUNY Oswego and his M.S. in curriculum development from SUNY Albany.
In 1994 he married his wife, Tammy, in Hopedale, Labrador. United in their passion for education, Tammy and CJ have made significant and lasting impacts in a number of school districts across the area.
CJ began his career in education as an English teacher at Corinth High School, where he also transitioned into administration, serving as principal from 1998 to 2002. He then was principal at Hudson Falls High School from 2002 to 2010. For the last six years, CJ has served as the school superintendent in Cooperstown.
Beyond any of his titles, anyone who knew CJ would say that his career in education was distinguished by his work ethic, leadership, civic responsibility, and unwavering commitment to tasks both big and small. He showed equal measures of enthusiasm, cheering on sports teams and music concerts as he did passing school budgets.
CJ has lived in many places, but his home has always been the outdoors. He was most at ease with a fishing pole in hand or on a hunt with his family and friends – especially with his son Cliff. The bond they had was forged in the woods, expanded through countless hours together, and now stands immortalized in their hearts.
In addition to his parents, wife, Tammy Humphrey Hebert, and his son Clifton Joseph Hebert IV of Amsterdam, CJ is also survived by his stepdaughter, Christina Dell, Celebration, Fla.; stepson Christopher McCloud and fiancé Heather Omaggio, Brooklyn; brothers James Hebert and wife Lori, North Grandby, Conn., and Troy Hebert and wife Pam, Natural Bridge.
As an alternative to flowers, donations may be made to one of three organizations dear to CJ. The organizations are, The Cooperstown Foundation for Excellence in Education (CFEE), c/o Cooperstown Central School, 39 Linden Avenue, Cooperstown, NY 13326; CJ Hebert Memorial Scholarship, c/o Mrs. Schwab, PO Box 710, Hudson Falls, NY 12839; Corinth Dollars for Scholars, PO Box 1, Corinth.
Calling hours ate 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, at the Tillapaugh Funeral Home, 28 Pioneer St., Cooperstown. The funeral service will be at 3 pm Thursday, March 24, in the Cooperstown High School auditorium, 39 Linden Ave., Cooperstown.
Arrangements are under the care of Tillapaugh Funeral Service, Cooperstown.
