Warbird Information Exchange

BLASDELL, N.Y. -- A Navy veteran of World War II, who passed away last month, made a final trip home to Western New York, and it happened thanks to the plane he flew during the war.

Clifford Klein, who was 89 when he passed, lived most of his life in Blasdell. He lived there with his wife and children.

A few years ago, with his health deteriorating, he moved to Ohio to be closer to his family. He passed away March 12.

Cliff, as he was most often called, never talked much about his time in the war. But then his curious 11-year-old grandson Victor started asking questions.

That led to them going to an air show, where they met Charlie Cartledge , a pilot who owns an Avenger airplane, similar to the one Cliff flew in the war.

Cartledge volunteered to fly Clifford's ashes back to Western New York, and Monday, he did just that. The plane passed over several spots important to Mr. Klein, including the Big Tree Volunteer Fire Company, where he was a firefighter for many years.

Clifford Klein will be laid to rest this weekend