STOUGHTON (CBS) – As the world stops to remember the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, a Massachusetts community paused Sunday to honor a local businessman who was one of the 1,500 people who died in the tragedy.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Kim Tunnicliffe reports.

Descendants of George Quincy Clifford helped to unveil a bronze plaque in his honor at the former factory where he was once president.

He died 100 years ago in the sinking of the Titanic while returning from a business trip in Europe.

“He gave up a seat on a life boat so someone else could live,” said David Allen Lambert, a Stoughton historian.

Lambert came up with the idea to dedicate a plaque in Clifford’s honor.

(Photo Credit: Kim Tunnicliffe/WBZ NewsRadio 1030)

“The Titanic was more than a movie,” said Lambert. “I just think watching the movie in 3D…you wouldn’t wanna watch 9/11 in 3D. I know it’s Hollywood, but it just didn’t seem fitting. This, I hope, is a little bit more fitting.”

Family descendant Lauren Redford grew up with all kinds of stories about Clifford, her great-great-grandfather.

“My father was sure he was bringing a pony on the Titanic back to him. He was playing cards when the ship went down, and he was obviously the love of my great-great-grandmother’s life,” said Redford.

Clifford’s great-great-great-granddaughter is thrilled with the plaque.

“Everybody’s still interested in the Titanic, and everybody helped raise money for the plaque. It’s great,” she said.