Wayne H Gifford

Wayne H. Gifford was summoned to his final call of duty. His deployment; guarding the streets of heaven as a United States Marine. Born in Warwick RI he was the son of Marilyn (Sprague) Gifford and the late Henry Gifford.

Eager to serve, Wayne joined the Marine Corps aged 17. He completed basic training in Parris Island and was also assigned to Camp Pendleton. He served as a Recon Marine, earning multiple medals including Rifle Sharp Shooter and Pistol Expert.

He owned and operated Rego & Gifford Sanitation on Aquidneck Island for 17 years. Concurrently he owned and operated GIF Construction for 25 years.
Gif (as his close friends called him) worked at Electric Boat as an Inspector of Nuclear Submarines. As he liked to regale to his children at any turn, “You sleep under the blanket of security I and others like me provide for you”.

Wayne was an avid golfer. “Golf is life and life is golf”. He won the club championship at Jamestown Country Club multiple times in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Retired, his dream job was working at Debordieu Golf Course in Pawley’s Island, SC.

He had a keen sense of humor, enjoyed a quick comeback and liked to instigate a retort to which he would sit back and bellow out an infectious laugh.
Wayne will be remembered for his courage, strength, love and devotion to family and his loyalty to friends.

Besides his Mother, Wayne leaves behind the love of his life, Anita (Connell) Gifford of Murrells Inlet, SC. The twinkle in his eyes were his adored children Heather Cawley (John), Middletown, RI, Henry Gifford, Fall River, MA, and Rachel Gifford (Louis) Groningen, Netherlands. He was also the proudest step father of Alexandra Lalli (Rob) Middletown, RI and Jilda Lalli (Jonathan) Warwick, RI. Wayne’s biggest soft spot in life were his grandchildren Matison Slagle and John Wayne Cawley. He leaves behind a sister, Karen Tessitore (Joe) Brother in-Law James Connell (Cathy) and one niece, Jennifer Tessitore.

He also leaves behind his friends, Jim Meyer (his chosen brother in life) and wife Judy Meyer whom he affectionately dubbed ‘Hillary’, many Aunts and uncles, 40 first cousins and his ‘puppy boy’ Ace.

Funeral arrangements will be private. Donations may be made in his memory to: Swing for A Cure, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), https://musc.ejoinme.org/sfac or Hollings Cancer Center Office of development, 86 Jonathan Lucas St. MSC955. Charleston, 29425. Please address donations in Wayne’s Name. 

Condolences may be made at www.burroughsfh.com

Burroughs Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Murrells Inlet (843.651.1440) is in charge of arrangements.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.