A last retreat was sounded for Mr. John Allen Clark, retired US Army Veteran. Formerly of Bedford, MA, Marstons Mills, MA and Gulfport Fl. died November 1, 2009 at the Knollwood Nursing Home in Worcester. He was born in Montreal Canada - the only son of John and Mary (Rousseau) Clark and moved to New York City in the late 1940’s he met and married Elizabeth Johnson and moved to Vermont where they started their family. John entered the Army in 1948 first serving in Korea as on Orthopedic Technician with a M.A.S.H. unit. He returned to the states and served in the orthopedic unit at Fort Devens, MA before transferring to San Juan Puerto Rico as Sergeant Major of the Army Hospital there. Later John Served in upstate, NY for a number of years before because of his bi-lingual skill, was reassigned to service in Vietnam where he taught French-speaking South Vietnamese officers to speak English. His final assignment was at the R.O.T.C. at Harvard University as an instructor in Military Science. He retired from the Army after 21 years of service in 1968.
Mr. Clark then joined the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company as an agent, working mostly in the Belmont area for nearly 20 years.
He and his wife, Elizabeth, retired again – this time to Cape Cod for the summer months and to Florida for the wintertime. In 2007 he and Elizabeth relocated – yet again, to Briarwood in Worcester.
John was a very warm friendly man who enjoyed friends, family, playing the organ, and being able to play golf nearly year round. As a young man he was a skilled athlete, excelling in hockey and tennis.
John was a long-time member of the Korean War and Vietnam Vets, the VFW as well as a 32nd degree Mason.
John valued family and home above everything. He was a true and patriotic American. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elizabeth (Johnson) Clark, son Robert and his wife Patricia of Palm Harbor Florida, son William and his wife Bernice of Center Thetford, VT, and son Peter and his wife, Diane of Dracut, MA. His grandchildren, Bradford and Kathryn Clark of Dracut, MA and Samuel, Joshua, and Carole Clark of Center Thetford, VT also survive him.
Memorial donations may be made to the Briarwood Resident Assistance Fund, 65 Briarwood Circle, Worcester, MA 01606