Joseph Alfred “Al” Clark, 87, of Silas Deane Road, died at home on Sunday, April 3rd after a lengthy illness.
He leaves his wife, Ruth Pauline (Coats) Clark of 66 years; two daughters, Ruth Pauline Herrick and Joan Jones, and a son Joseph Alfred “Jack” Clark and their spouses, Richard Herrick, Jack Jones and Ernestine Clark, all of Ledyard; a brother George P. Clark of Ledyard; eight grandchildren, Richard Herrick, Deborah Hileman, Virginia Martic, Craig Jones, Tina Policarpo, Joseph A. “Joal” Clark, Jeffrey Clark and Jessica Clark; eleven great-grandchildren, Richard Hileman III, Steven Martic, Joey Policarpo, Christopher Hileman, Morgan Martic, Rebekah Hileman, Jacob Policarpo, Harley Herrick, Joseph A. “Jace” Clark V, Rachael Herrick, and Joal Andrew “Drew” Clark. He was predeceased by a sister, Louise (Clark) Standish.
Mr. Clark was born in Ledyard on June 18, 1917, a son of the late Joseph Alfred Clark and Fannie Marie (Lamb) Clark. Mr. Clark attended the one-room school house on Colonel Ledyard Highway and went to Norwich Free Academy.
He was always active in community life, both as a private citizen and as a public servant. He helped organize the Public Health Nursing Service, was a life member of the Ambulance Service and was one of the original charterers of LASI in 1954 and one of its first presidents. In 1968 he negotiated a contract with LASI to extend free ambulance service to Ledyard’s residents. Mr. Clark was a lifetime member of the Ledyard Fire Company, a member and past president of the Bill Library, a member of the Ledyard Congregational Church, a member of the Ledyard Grange, a charter member of the Ledyard Lions and a member of the Elks. He served on the Tax Review Board before being elected First Selectman in Ledyard from 1963 through 1971. When he took office in 1963, the town had virtually no police protection and when he left office the town had two resident state troopers and a full time constable, as well as 10 well-trained and equipped part-time constables. Mr. Clark was Public Works Director from 1971-1975 and Mayor of Ledyard from 1975-1983.
Prior to going into politics, he drove a school bus for his brother and worked on the farm with his father and brother.
Al's family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8pm. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday at 10am with burial following at Avery-Stoddard Cemetery, Ledyard.
In lieu of floral arrangements, donations may be made to Hospice of Southern Connecticut, PO Box 902, Uncasville CT 06382 or to the American Cancer Society, 238 W. Town Street, Norwich 06360.
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