Colin Clive Dies After 5-Year Battle with Brain Cancer

Colin Clive, a 2014 Siena graduate and the most outstanding player of the 2011 MAAC tournament, died Monday at 31 years old after a five-year battle with brain cancer.

Siena announced Clive’s passing on Thursday, celebrating the life of someone whose post-Siena life was met with obstacles.

Clive worked in business in Manhattan for two years and was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2018 at 26. Over the next five years, he endured multiple surgeries and experimental treatment.

Four months after receiving his diagnosis, Clive was one of the leading fundraisers nationally for Cycle for Survival, which raised $42 million that year. He was honored in 2021 at the American Cancer Society of the Capital Region Coaches vs. Cancer Basket “Ball” with the Mary Ann Raymond Donnelly Fighting Spirit Award.

That award came a little over two months after his parents tragically died just five days apart. Barbara Clive died from complications of pneumonia. David Clive died just days later after suffering a heart attack and receiving a stent before going home and suffering a fatal heart attack.

David Clive, a former professional soccer player in the United Kingdom, was still working at age 70 to maintain health coverage for his son.

Following the deaths of his parents, Colin Clive was supported by Siena and the lacrosse community at large via a GoFundMe that raised nearly $850,000 by over 12,000 donors.

In the month just prior to his passing, Siena established The Clive Family Scholarship in honor of the Clives and in recognition of Colin Clive’s courage, stoicism and drive during his heroic health battle. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a Siena men's lacrosse player who demonstrates financial need and the qualities of a Siena Saint.

A native of Massapequa, N.Y., Clive was a star attackman for the Saints from 2011-14 and ranks fifth in Siena history in career goals (115). Siena advanced to the MAAC championship game in each of his four seasons and won the tournament twice (2011, 2014).

Services for Clive begin Friday, July 7, with visitation from 4-8 p.m. at the Massapequa Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Clive’s memory to the Brain Injury Association of New York State.