Herbert Clifford Dike

Herbert Clifford Dike, age 62, died peacefully on August 9, 2026 surrounded by family and close friends, after his odyssey with Cholangiocarcinoma (GI cancer).

Herb, known affectionately to his family and many (but not all!) friends as Cliff, was born on January 4, 1964, in Erie, PA and was the son of Herbert T and Mary Jane (Brandhorst) Dike. He graduated from Trumbull High School in Trumbull, Ct in 1982, received a BA from University of New Haven, New Haven, CT in Psychology and Criminal Justice in 1991 and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Northeastern University Law School in 1994.

Cliff had a successful law career which started in the Law Offices of Mitchell Garabedian where he became the resident expert in workers compensation law; this led to his appointment by Governor Mitt Romney as an Administrative Judge for the Commonwealth of MA. After his appointment ended, Cliff became a partner at Fairburn & Dike before opening his own practice. Cliff ended his legal career working as a lawyer for the Commonwealth of MA.

Cliff was a talented actor, performing initially with ACT Andover in Andover MA. He was one of the founders of Ghost Light Players in Marlborough, MA where he performed and produced many productions. Cliff particularly loved producing and performing in works of Shakespeare, including two performance runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Hamlet, 2017 and Henry V, 2024). He also performed with The Worcester Shakespeare Company (Worcester, MA), Punctuate4 Productions (Beverly, MA) and Castle Hill Productions at The Crane Estate (Ipswich MA) among others. His last theatrical role was in June 2026 where he performed in (Lady) MacBeth with MidCoast Shakespeare Studio in Belfast, ME. He supported other performing arts including that of modern dance in which his mother performed, and he loved music ranging from classical to rock and was always up for a Broadway show.

Cliff was an accomplished volleyball player and prided himself on being a good setter. He loved playing with athletes younger than himself who would challenge him to up his game. He was an adept hiker, climbing many of the Presidential mountains, parts of the Appalachian Trail, the Grand Canyon and sites in Costa Rica and beyond. 

He was an avid (perhaps rabid) fan of many Boston sports teams and coached youth sports.Cliff was an accomplished and innovative D&D player and in 1992 co-founded Lione Rampant, one of the first ever Live Action Roleplaying games (LARP). He went on to staff and play many other LARPs, including Atlas Adventures, Radiant Dragon, and Pirate Island. Cliff mentored disadvantaged students for Youth Villages, volunteered with the United States Park Service in Boston to promote appreciation for our nation’s history and while active in law, provided manydisadvantaged people with his advice pro bono.What was truly important to him were the many relationships and communities he built and nurtured. His friends and family were dear to him, and he always made them a priority. His house and heart were always open. 

He is survived by his brother, Alec T. Dike and Alec’s wife, Siobhan Flynn; sister, Laura E. Dike and her husband, Vaughn Miller; his nieces and nephew, Jenna Dike, Cameron Dike and Jessie Miller, and chosen family, April and Shaun Hart and their children, Nolan and Summer. He was predeceased by his parents Herbert T. and Mary Jane Dike.1

A memorial service will be held at Parish of Epiphany, 70 Church St, Winchester, MA at 1pm on Saturday, Oct 10, 2026, to be followed by a reception. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any of the following organizations:

 Dana-Farber Cancer Research, Brookline, Massachusettso Dana-Farber Cancer InstituteP.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via dana-farber.org/gift.

Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company, Inc., Troy, New Yorko PO Box 775, Troy , NY 12181o Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company – Create – Collaborate – Educate

MidCoast Shakespeare Studio, Belfast, Maineo 9 Field Street, Suite 118, Belfast, ME 04915 o Support Us — MidCoast Shakespeare Studio

Musicians of Ma’alwyck, Rexford, NYo 511 Mohawk Avenue, Scotia, NY 12302 o Musicians of Ma'alwyck 

SupportYouth Villages, Inc YV Massachusetts, Woburn, MAo 12 Gill St #5800, Woburn, MA o Donate - Youth Villages 2