Obituary of Harold Richard Clark

Harold "Dick" Richard Clark, age 96, passed away peacefully on Saturday February 13, 2021 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was born on January 17, 1925 in Junction City, Ohio to the late Cecelia (Sis) and Raymond (Toad) Clark. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 54 years, Shirley Mae (Towns). He spent the last years of Shirley’s life devoted to her care until her death, April 6, 2006. He was also preceded in death by his son William Richard, brothers John, Harry, Fred, Mick, Bill, Jim, sisters Suzann Clark and Barbara Gianvito, sister-in-law Eileen Clark, and grandson John M. Clark. He is survived by sisters-in-law Anna Mae Clark, Junction City, Helen Clark, Lancaster, Marge Clark, Painesville, and Glenda Clark, Jasper, Georgia. Also survived by four children: Dennis (Ginny), Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Claire Rhodes, Fairfield, CT, Lois (Mike Ventricelli) Amador, Fairfield, and David (Mara Shane O’Brien), Fairfield. In addition, survived by 10 grandchildren: Ashley Clark, Justin Miller, Bill (Britani) Clark, Nicole (Dan) Scotto, Kyle Rhodes, Alex Amador, Jack Rhodes, Garison Clark, Billy Rhodes, Bennett Amador, and 4 great grandchildren: Shyla, Ryan, Dani, Walker and many beloved nieces and nephews. He graduated from Junction City High School class of 1942. In 1943 he joined the army in WWII serving under Lt. Colonel George Rubel as a Tank Gunner, in the 740th “Daredevil” Tank Battalion, a special unit attached to the 82nd Airborne, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. On December 24, 1944 they liberated the town of La Gleize, Belgium from the Nazis in the Ardennes. He later returned to Europe to retrace his wartime journey several times, first in 2001, with all of his children and their spouses and later some grandchildren where he was honored in many towns in France, Germany and Belgium. He cherished being awarded the Fourragere, the highest honor Belgium bestows for distinguished military service. After the war he attended the American University in London, then returned to Ohio University to complete his business degree, then moved to Detroit, to join the executive training program at JL Hudson’s, where he met his wife Shirley who worked in the record department. Later merging with Dayton’s in Minneapolis, the company now known as Target Corporation, was where he enjoyed a long executive career traveling throughout Europe and Asia for merchandise and private label manufacturing. He gratefully described his life as having many vicissitudes, moving to Detroit, Minneapolis, Tampa and finally Connecticut, faithfully putting his family first. His joy was spending time with family, Irish humor, family history, ardently giving tours of his ancestors in St Patrick’s Cemetery. He took great pride in his hometown, especially Clark's Grocery Store in Junction City, which has been in the Clark family for 103 years. He was a member of SPEBSQSA, Barbershop chorus and sang for many years traveling and competing in the National Championship one year. He was dedicated to the St. Vincent de Paul Society and Ministry. He was a devout Catholic whose faith anchored his entire life. His family wishes to especially thank the Watermark Community at 3030 Park Avenue in Bridgeport for their wonderful companionship and care for two and a half years. He loved his friends there, and above all enjoyed dancing and singing when the opportunity presented itself. A Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Saturday March 6th at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Weston at 11 AM. The family respectfully requests mask wearing and social distancing be followed and to register with the church online if attending in person. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050544AFAA23A4FE3-funeral Live streamed remote attendance will be available at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkc-DfzK-a-SO55D1tBQe0A A celebration of life and Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Junction City is planned for June 12th at 11 AM, where he will be laid to final rest beside his wife Shirley in St. Patrick’s Cemetery. Full military honor will be conducted by the Junction City American Legion. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to St. Patrick's Church, 309 North Main St., New Lexington, OH 43764. St. Vincent DePaul Society, PO Box 416, Corning, OH 43730. For travel directions or to sign his guest register, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com.