DR. JOSEPH F. WARK

DR. JOSEPH F. WARK - BURLINGTON - Dr. Joseph F. Wark, 77, passed away on Nov. 20, 2011, in his Burlington home, after an extended and courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Barre on March 1, 1934, the son of Dr. Joseph A. Wark and Merle Ladd Wark. On June 30, 1956, he was married to Ellen L. Pirie in the First Presbyterian Church in Lower Graniteville. Dr. Wark graduated from Spaulding High School in 1952, where he played varsity football, basketball, and baseball. During the summer of 1952, after another successful baseball season with Montpelier Post 3 Legion, he signed a professional baseball contract with the Cleveland Indians. He graduated from the University of Vermont in 1956, where he played varsity football and baseball, and was a proud member of the Delta Psi fraternity. After UVM, he enrolled in the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, Mass., where he was also a member of the U.S. Ensign Program. Upon graduation from dental school, he served two years as a dentist at the U.S.M.C. base in Parris Island, S.C. and another ten years as an officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He then pursued his graduate degree in orthodontics at the Boston University School of Graduate Dentistry prior to opening his first office at 64 Colchester Avenue in Burlington in Oct. 1964. He was appointed assistant professor of histology and embryology at the University of Vermont School of Dental Hygiene in 1965 by UVM president Lyman Rowell. His brother, Dr. Jason A. Wark, joined him in forming Associates in Orthodontics, PC. Other offices were established in Essex Junction, Barre, Middlebury and Newport with the addition of Drs. David Angus and Theodore Librizzi to better serve those patients seeking orthodontic care. He retired from active practice in June 1989, and has spent many happy years traveling, hunting, and flyfishing with family and friends. One of his favorite spots was at Bear Camp in Avery's Gore in the Northeast Kingdom. Another one of his passions was following his grandchildren on the baseball fields, hockey rinks and soccer fields. They were all his pride and joy. He is survived by his wife, Ellen, of 55 years; his son, Joseph A. Wark and his wife, Lisa, and their three daughters, Megan, Lindsay and Holly; daughter, Elizabeth Cobb and her sons, Charlie and Tucker; son, David W. Wark and his wife, Debra, and their two sons, Tyler and Nathan; siblings, Dr. Jason Wark and his wife, Donna, of Charlotte and Nokomis, Fla., Julia and Tom Waterman of San Marino, Calif., Jane and Dr. Craig Trueblood of Wickenburg, Ariz. and Jerry Wark, Esq. of Phoenix, Ariz.; along with many cousins, nieces and nephews. The family gives special thanks to Dr. Neil Hyman, Dr. Paul Unger and Margaret Sussman of VCCM, Claire Weis of VNA, and close family friend, Tara Pacy. At his request, there are no calling hours or funeral services. A private graveside service will be held at the family plot at Elmwood Cemetery in Barre. Memorial contributions can be made to the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA), 1110 Prim Road, Colchester, VT 05446.