G Murray Clark, Sr. CM, CD1- Dec 2, 1921- Oct 4, 2014
It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of our father, G Murray Clark Sr., Westville, just two months short of his 93rd birthday. He was the son of the late William Clark and Roxena (Nicholson) Clark. Dad is survived by his second wife Dorothy ( Hunter) Boehk-Clark; his 6 sons, Bill (Carol) Lyons Brook, John (Edith), River John, Ian (Sue), Greenwood, Murray Jr. (Dawn) Dartmouth, Laurie, Moncton, Bruce, Toronto , Dorothy’s daughter, Pamela(Jack) Canning; Dad’s sister, Dorothy Logan, (It was truly amazing to see the love and admiration between these two 90+ year old siblings); Sisters-in-law , Irene Clark, Mary Bruce, Joan Bruce, Judy Graham, Janice Ricketts, Kathleen Gilchrist, and brothers-in-law, Clarence Hunter and Robert Hodgson.
Very special people in Dad’s life were his grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. It was wonderful to watch his interaction from his oldest (47) to the newest baby (6 months). Papa /Grampa was always on their side. He loved to get them involved in his favourite activity, fishing, and for those who were interested he taught them how to build things. He will be sadly missed by Scott (Kim), Tracey, Samuel (Margaret), EJ (Blair), Valerie, Shannon (Pat), Allison, Stephanie (Gene), Matthew (Helen), Steven and his special Granddaughter Melissa.
He was Big Papa to his great grandchildren Brandon (Samantha), Danielle (Luke), Tyler, Braden, Caleb, Christopher, Xeno, Jade, Chloe, Jessica, Phelan, Payton, Vincent and his great- great grandchildren Cohen and Brooklyn.
Many of these little darlings have great memories of time spent at Papa and Nana’s home in Tremont NS.
He will be fondly remembered by four special people in his life, his nephew Clarke Logan and his nieces, June Nixon, Vonnie Hale and Holly Clark Hanforth.
He was predeceased by our mother, Jean (Bruce) Clark, to whom he was married for 58 years; his older brother Bill (who was killed in action in Italy 70 years ago this month); and younger brother Johnnie of Halifax and Calgary; his grandson, Christopher W. Clark, CD; his brothers-in- law, Willard Logan, Harold, Jim, Don and Allister Bruce; his sisters-in-law, Claretta Bannerman, Isabel Keith and Aileen Fraser.
Dad served his country for 32 years, first with the Pictou Highlanders and the R.C.A F. during and after WW2 and retired from the Canadian Forces in 1972. Dad was stationed in Greenwood, Saskatoon, Gimily , Winnipeg during his peace time career and was often away from home for the military in locations such as Bermuda, USA, Cuba, Iceland, England, Scotland, Azores, Gibraltar and doing submarine patrol from surveillance aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean.
Dad retired from the N.S.L.C. after 13 years’ service. He was formerly a member of the Royal Canadian Legion in Westville and Kingston, NS. He served both branches as President and was a Zone Commander in Pictou County in 1953. Dad was also a former member of Argus Masonic Lodge in Kingston, NS.
Two of Dad’s passions upon retirement were the Pictou Highlanders Memory Club and the Pictou County Military Museum. He enjoyed the annual reunions of his former comrades and made many contributions to the Military Museum. He was also a very active member of the Westville Heritage Group. His greatest joy was fishing and fishing he did up until his 92nd birthday. Our family will always be grateful to our cousin Clarke Logan who made sure his Uncle Murray always got out to go fishing regardless of the weather.
Family flowers only please. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s and N.S. Heart and Stroke Foundations. Murray is resting at Eagles Funeral Home in Westville with visiting on Tuesday, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. The Royal Canadian Legion,Br.#35 will conduct a service at 6:30 Tuesday at the Funeral Home. His funeral will be held from Eagles Funeral Chapel on Wednesday at 1 o’clock with Rev. Doug Pilsworth officiating. Interment will be in St. Bees Cemetery, Westville. www.eaglesfuneralhome.ca