Clifford E. Sherman, 79, lifelong resident of North Attleboro, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2026, at Alliance Health at Maples in Wrentham.

Born in Attleboro on February 2, 1947, he was the son of Clifford and Marjorie (Barber) Sherman. Clifford was the beloved husband of Jane (McGuire) Sherman for over 53 years.

Cliff grew up in downtown North Attleboro in the virtual backyard of Community Field where he spent countless hours honing his athletic skills on those fields and courts. Summers meant vacationing in Ocean Park, Maine where he enjoyed endless beach days and nights, making many lifelong friends, also known as The Winona Avenue Beach Gang. As a 1964 graduate of North Attleboro High School, Cliff excelled athletically in football, basketball and baseball. Upon high school graduation he attended Furman University, where he was a member of their "Purple Paladin" basketball and baseball teams and later graduated from Athens College. Cliff went on to earn his master's degree from Providence College.

A true "legend" of the City of Attleboro school system, Cliff spent 35 years working in different capacities within it. The life lessons he learned through sports led him to his true academic and coaching calling. He served as a science teacher at both Thacher Middle School and Attleboro High School, before becoming the High School's Athletic Director and Associate Principal. During that time, he spent a combined 47 seasons coaching their football, basketball and baseball teams. In his 11 seasons as the Head Varsity Basketball Coach, he led the team to 124 wins, six Conference Championships, and an appearance in the MIAA State Basketball Tournament in each of his last 10 seasons. In 11 seasons at the reigns of the Varsity Football Team, they won 69 games, five Conference Championships, and participated in the first four Super Bowls in program history. For his achievements, he was honored to be elected into the Attleboro Area Football Hall of Fame and the Attleboro High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Outside of Attleboro he spent 12 seasons as the Offensive Coordinator for the Providence College Football Team, followed by seven seasons as the Head Football Coach at Stonehill College, where he led their transition to the NCAA and their entry into the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference. During his tenure at Stonehill, the 1989 team won their Conference Championship, and he was named Conference Coach of the Year.

Cliff made sure that his student athletes were not only successful on the court but more importantly off it as well. He spent countless weekends and summer hours developing the youth programs in the City of Attleboro, through recreational leagues and summer camps, and then continued that at the high school level through off-season programs and summer league teams for the athletes. He made it clear to all his players the importance of academics and that academics always came before athletics. He established programs that were not only consistent winners, but also ones that were disciplined and played the right way. Most importantly he built programs in which the community could take great pride.

Cliff was a proud father to Tommy and Andrew. He loved watching their youth games, whether it be baseball, soccer, basketball or football. He invested countless hours volunteering to coach their teams. Later on, Cliff spent his well-earned retirement doing the things he loved. He spent a lot of time at his Cape retreat in Dennis, playing golf as a member of both the Dennis Highland Course and Dennis Pines Golf Course, traveling to see friends and new destinations, watching any and all Clemson sporting events and doting on his grandchild. His time on Earth may have come to an end, but he'll be holding a whistle and teaching people the correct techniques and core values for the rest of eternity.

In addition to his wife, Cliff is survived by his sons, Thomas Sherman and Andrew Sherman, and Andrew's wife, Ashley. He was the devoted and adoring grandfather of Zachary Sherman. Cliff leaves his sister, Laurie McGill of North Attleboro, as well as extended family members and dear friends.

Family and friends are warmly invited to attend Visitation on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, from 4PM until 7PM in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA.

A Funeral Service will immediately follow visitation at 7PM in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Attleboro Area Football Hall of Fame at www.attleboroareafootballhof.com.

For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit the online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA. Telephone: (508) 695-0200.