Northborough – John L. “Jack” Clark Jr., most recently of Northborough, brother, father, grandfather, and friend, died peacefully Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2015. He was 86 years of age. Jack passed away from complications arising from a stroke suffered in early November. He was at the Coleman House nursing home in Northborough where he lived since November 2012 after suffering a fall that left him requiring skilled nursing care.
Jack was born Dec. 11, 1928 in West Chester, Penn. to John Sr. and Margaret “Nan” (Harper). He grew up on Delchester Farms and graduated from St. Agnes High School in 1946 where he knew he would seek a future full of travel and adventure. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in March 1947 and received training as a Radar Repairman, Airborne Equipment – a vocation he followed for the rest of his career. He served honorably until 1950, rising to the rank of Sergeant.
Although Jack served his military duty in peacetime between WWII and Korea, his civilian career often took him to war zones and active military operations, including Korea, Vietnam, Libya, Grenada, and the Persian Gulf. After serving with the Air Force, he was recruited by Philco and continued his training and education as a senior defense electronics engineer in Japan for 10 years.
He travelled extensively in Japan and climbed Mt. Fuji three times. His son David and grandson Nate would follow his example and climb the mountain 50 years later to honor his achievement.
Jack met his future wife, Jane Smurl, who was teaching school at Johnson Airbase (now Iruma Air Base) in Tokyo. Jane was born in Bronx, N.Y. and earned her degree in early childhood education at Plattsburg University. She attended modeling school and was an avid skier. Jack and Jane were married in Tokyo before moving back to the United States to start a family.
Once back in the U.S., Jack was moved between Manchester, N.H.; Washington, D.C. (where John III was born); Jacksonville, Fla. (where Terry was born); Phoenix, Ariz.; and finally settled in Nashua, N.H. (where Jeanette and David were born). His assignments included the Air Force satellite tracking station in New Boston, N.H.; involvement with the installation of the Titan missile site in Sahuarita, Ariz.; and working on the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird strategic reconnaissance aircraft. He worked for Sanders Associates (now BAE Systems) when he relocated to Nashua – a firm he stayed with for more than 30 years.
In 1975, Jack went back into field service, this time aboard U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. For 10 years, he crossed decks from one assignment to another, serving on the USS Nimitz, USS Constellation, USS America, USS Coral Sea, USS Eisenhower, USS Ranger, and USS Enterprise, among other vessels. His work was directed toward electronic countermeasures on the AE-6B fighter/bomber aircraft launched from these aircraft carriers.
In the late 1980s, Jack was assigned to Pease Air Force Base where he served until its closure in 1991. His final assignment was to Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Wash. While serving there, he was assigned to submarine USS Pennsylvania until his retirement.
Jack retired to Dover, N.H., a town he came to love while assigned to Pease Air Force base. He lived there until moving to Coleman House in Northborough during 2012.
Jack is remembered and cherished by all of those who got to know and love him, especially his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, together with many nephews, nieces, cousins, and family friends forming his network of extended family.
He is survived by his sister, Peggy Hyatt and husband Ralph; brother, Dick Clark and wife Harriet; sister, Colonel Patricia Clark (USAF, Retired); son, John III and wife Jennifer of Northborough, with children Peter and wife Lisa and daughter Tallulah, Emily, John IV, and Curtis; daughter, Terry Clark of Manchester, N.H.; daughter, Jeanette Huchi and husband Master Sergeant Huchi (USMC, Retired); and son, Major David Clark (USMC, Retired) with children Corporal Nathan (USMC) and Madeline.
Jack was an avid photographer – he can best be remembered taking thousands of pictures with his favorite Rolleiflex camera. He was a world traveler – and could recount the many places he had visited in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Far East. His stories about exploring the Vatican, the pyramids, and Japan were endless. His quiet demeanor hid an inquisitive mind and restless spirit.
Jack was also known for his sense of humor, seeming to find something to chuckle about in almost every situation. His dry wit and poignant one-liners were sometimes subtle, often obnoxious, and usually accurate. He loved to tell shaggy dog tales and would entertain people for hours.
Jack was a voracious reader and was intrigued by history. He could not resist topics that involved unusual behavior. A visit to his apartment would reveal James Clavell novels, almanacs, believe-it-or-not books, and copies of the Midnight Globe. Gadgets were another passion Jack had.
Cooking, camping, and household gadgets were of intense interest to Jack. We have all found ourselves trying to avoid being skunked in a game of cribbage with him while he enjoyed his extra dry beefeater martini and proudly demonstrated the newest travel accessory, camera lens, or LL Bean item he had discovered.
The family wishes to thank the staff of the Coleman House where he had lived since November 2012. You made him feel special and he loved you. You provided superb care and a special environment of support, respect, and love. We are so grateful for the professional care you provided him every day.
All are invited to gather with Jack’s family Tuesday, Dec. 8, from 6-8 p.m., at DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, 410 N Church Street, West Chester, Penn. A mass of Resurrection will be held Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 11 a.m., at St. Agnes Church, 233 West Gay St., West Chester, Penn. The interment will be private. A mass at St. Bernadette parish in Northborough will be held in his name when arrangements can be made for his New England family and friends to remember him.
For more online guest book and further details, visit http://www.dellafh.com.
