Obituaries

Clifford Robert Wagner ("Cliff") of Fort Mitchell passed away on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, with his family by his side.

Cliff was born in Newport, Kentucky to to Catherine DeMoss and Clifford Frederick Wagner. He graduated from Campbell County High School where he played basketball and football.

Cliff lived a beautiful 85 years defined by family, love, and perseverance. He will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his dedication to his craft, and his astonishing grit. He was married to the love of his life, Carol Wagner (Hammer), for 63 years, and was admired by his 4 children, Curt Wagner (Teresa), Paige Shelton (Scott), Regan Perlman (Dan), and the late Chad Wagner (2005). He is survived by brothers Jack Wagner (California, KY) and Billy Wagner (Covington, KY), and has joined his late sister, Mary (Somerset, KY), in eternal rest. Cliff was also the loving grandfather to twelve grandchildren— Erica, Kevin, Keith, Evelyn, Zoe, Tori, Mia, Riley, Casey, Ty, Marley, and Lilly— and three great-grandchildren– Georgie, Luke, and Joey.

Cliff had to discover independence at an early age. When his mother died, he stepped up to take custody of his 17-year-old brother, and from that moment, he never ceased to provide for the people he loved. His children and grandchildren will always remember the often elegant and always delicious meals he poured his love into for each Thanksgiving and Christmas.

His love of furniture restoration began in the 1970s, when he started stripping furniture at the home he and Carol made together. Carol will forever cherish the first piece he stripped, a spinet desk that had been painted white, which the family will hold onto for years to come. Cliff took over a small antique store on lower Scott Street in Covington when his passion started to become profession. After years of perfecting his craft, “The Stripper” in Covington grew into “The Restoration Society” in the heart of Latonia. Cliff moved the business several times before settling at 1348 Decoursey Avenue in Latonia, Kentucky, where it operated from 1996 to 2024. He found great purpose in his work and kept at it even after his cancer diagnosis in 2021. He will be remembered as a caring, trusted entrepreneur in the community.

Cliff also devoted himself to raising awareness of addiction as a disease, alongside his wife. After the loss of their son Chad to an overdose in 2005, they chose to turn their grief into purpose. Instead of accepting flowers, they founded the Foxfire Foundation, with a mission to "Change Hearts and Save Lives" by offering unconditional love and acceptance to those struggling with addiction. Carol recalls that Cliff came up with the name himself, inspired by foxfire, the bioluminescent glow given off by decaying wood, which shines a bright, vibrant green. He and Carol believed that people in recovery have a beautiful glow about them. Many will remember them for the time they gave in local jails, getting to know those struggling with addiction and offering comfort by sharing Chad's story.

Cliff leaves behind a beautiful legacy of family, friends, and community impact.

Visitation will be Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at Mother of God Church from 10:00 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 12:05 p.m. Burial will follow at St. John Cemetery.