Paul Franklin Clarke, February 21, 1922 – May 2, 2018
With loving sadness we say goodbye to our 96 year-old father, Paul Franklin Clarke, and with gratitude we remember his long and wonderful life. Predeceased by his beloved wife Aileen, and missed by his dear sister Muriel Askin, children Janis, Jon, Paula, Greg, and Julie, grandchildren Raphael, Kim, Gail, Fiona and Thomas, and precious great-grandson Gabriel. Born in Blenheim to Blanche and Jack Clarke, Paul loved working the family farm. In 1943 he graduated from University of Toronto in electrical engineering, then enjoyed a fulfilling career with Windsor’s Ford Motor Company as safety manager, and later was a consultant to Chatham industries. He and Aileen lived a happy retirement in Erie Beach, where he and his son built his dream home. There they enjoyed the lake, their gardens, bridge games, and singalongs, always welcoming new and old friends. Paul had a relentless passion for invention and creative home-improvements, and his adventurous spirit kept him travelling, skiing, biking and kayaking well into his 80s. Paul had great compassion for the welfare of others, working with the United Way, Kiwanis Club, and Industrial Accident Prevention Association. He and Aileen created a Guelph University scholarship for agriculture students in financial need, and fundraised for Orchestra London creating the “Music, Muffins and More” program to showcase young Kent county musicians. A poet, church organist, and beautiful tenor singer, Paul lived a life full of music, passing this love on to his children and grandchildren.
Family will hold a private memorial service for him on the land he loved. Memorial donations may be made to United Way of London or Chatham-Kent, or the United Nations Refugee Agency.