Robert C. Sutcliffe, 89, of Burlington, passed away Friday, January 30th at the Masonic Home of New Jersey, Burlington. Robert was born on September 11, 1919 in Nutley, NJ; the son of Robert and Marion Sutcliffe. His family moved to Woodbury Road in Ewing, NJ when Robert was 7. He graduated from Trenton Central High School in 1937. A World War II veteran; Robert was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps. He trained at Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford Massachusetts. While at Hanscom, he met and married his wife Jane. His unit, the 348th Fighter Group, was deployed to New Guinea in May of 1943; there they flew the P-47 Thunderbolt. During his nearly two years in New Guinea, he achieved ACE status after shooting down five enemy aircraft. He was promoted to Captain and returned to the United States in November of 1944. Captain Sutcliffe began his civilian married life in West Trenton, NJ. Later the family moved to Robert's childhood home in Ewing. Robert, Jane and their three sons lived in this home until 1978 when they semi-retired to Clearwater, FL. While living in New Jersey, Robert was a member of Trenton Cyrus Lodge No. 5 F. & A.M. and was honored by the NJ Aviation Memorial in Trenton. Robert was employed by the Quaker Sugar Company, the Cosden Paint Company and Randomatic while living in New Jersey. He worked for the Utility Brass and Copper for a short while in Florida until he retired fully. In 2001 he moved back to Whiting, NJ for four years and spent the last three years living at the Masonic Home of New Jersey in Burlington. For many years Robert returned to his love of flying after purchasing a Piper Cherokee 180. Most summer weekends he flew with his wife from New Jersey to their summer home on Lake Winnipesaukee, NH. His hobbies included many hours creating stained glass figurines and hand-carved birds, which he created one special bird each year.

Robert is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Jane Willard Sutcliffe; his three sons, Robert Lyman and his wife Terri of Georgia, Peter Chandler and his wife Priscilla of Massachusetts and David Harlow and his wife Claire of Pennsylvania; a sister Mina Harris of Texas; he also leaves six grandchildren, J.R, Shelley, Chad, Allison, Christopher and Jackie and six great grandchildren

A Masonic service will be held 10 am Wednesday, February 4th at the Masonic Home Chapel, 902 Jacksonville Rd. Burlington. Funeral service will begin immediately after. Friends may call Wednesday 9am until the time of services. Interment will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made in Robert's name to the Masonic Charity Foundation, 902 Jacksonville Road, Burlington, NJ 08016. Arrangements under the direction of the Peppler Funeral Home, Bordentown.