THOMAS ROY CLARKE Jr.

THOMAS ROY CLARKE JR. December 23, 1940 - July 30, 2016 Tom passed away peacefully surrounded by family after a short illness caused by his recurring cancer. Born in Montreal West, son of Nancy and Roy, he spent the first 2 years of his life being shuttled between Montreal West and various mining operations that were focused on Canada's war effort. After a stay in Montreal West, while his father was enlisted in the Royal Canadian Engineers, the family began once again to move between mining towns before settling in Toronto in 1952. Throughout school, Tom was at or near the top of the honour roll and in his final year in high school was valedictorian. Tom also enrolled in the scouting movement as a Cub Scout. After moving through the ranks of Scout, Queen Scout and Rover, he served as the leader of a Venturer company for a number of years. A love of the stars led Tom to attend University of Toronto, eventually receiving a PhD in Radio Astronomy. At the McLaughlin Planetarium from day one, he served as Director from 1976 until its closure. He very much enjoyed designing, assembling and presenting the many programs over the years. The closure of the Planetarium in 1995 was a sad event for Tom but he continued to work on special projects at the Royal Ontario Museum until his retirement in 2003. Not one for slowing down, Tom kept busy by staying involved in Scouts Canada (56 years of service) and on various committees at Fairlawn United Church and the United Church of Canada. Tom also found joy in gardening, history and storytelling, family and most recently being grandfather to Benjamin and Holly. He leaves behind his wife of 38 years Kathy, children Christopher and Caroline, brothers Allyn and Warner, nieces and nephew, cousins, and Bill, Bob and Bud Ralph. A service of remembrance will be held at FAIRLAWN AVENUE UNITED CHURCH, 28 Fairlawn Ave., on Wednesday, August 10th at 2 p.m. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 9th from 6 to 9 p.m at Morley Bedford Funeral Home, 159 Eglinton Ave. West (2 stoplights west of Yonge St.), Toronto. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to charity.