Frederick W. Clark Sr.

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the sudden passing of Frederick W. Clark, Sr. of Easton. Mr. Clark, age 83, was married to the love of his life, Ellen (Richter) Clark, for nearly 63 years, and was the father of six children: Catherine Gamache of Middleboro, Frederick Clark, Jr. of Easton, Ellen E. Clark of Easton, Christopher Clark of Harwich, Mark Clark of Easton and Laura Clark-Gerrior of Middleboro. An electrician/master electronics technician by trade and self-employed for most of his career, Mr. Clark never had the opportunity to earn a college degree but made sure that each one of his children did. He and Mrs. Clark instilled in their children deeply held principles of integrity, dedication to family, an enduring work ethic, the importance of education and an unwavering commitment to public service. Mr. Clark made sure to teach his children to be self-reliant, to put family first, but also take time to build, to go fishing (his passion since being a teenager) and to enjoy the splendor of life. He is survived by his wife, Ellen; his brother, Henry Clark of Brockton; six children, sixteen grandchildren, a great granddaughter, and a large number of nieces and nephews. His six children, in reflecting on their father's passing, said, "while we are struggling with our grief during this difficult time, we are comforted to know that our father passed away during Patriot's Day weekend. As an Air Force Fire and Crash Rescue Division veteran (stationed in Bermuda where he met his wife, Ellen, while she was on vacation), a former member of the National Guard Army Reserves and a 24-year volunteer public servant (12 years each as a selectman and planning board chairperson in the Town of Easton), and a man entirely devoted to his family and country, he was a true American patriot in the most glorious sense of the word." Mr. Clark also served his community of Easton as the former Chairperson of the Easton Veterans Memorial Committee and as Chairperson of the Easton Capital Planning Committee. He did more than believe in public service – he lived it. Fred Clark Sr. was a fierce, courageous and unapologetic advocate for his country, community, and family. For his entire life, he consistently and relentlessly pursued what he believed to be right and just – no matter the personal cost. At his inauguration, his son, Fred Clark, Jr., the President of Bridgewater State University, expressed his gratitude to his parents for their influence on his own life, saying, "from them, I grew up admiring not wealth or position but rather those who demonstrated courage and commitment in serving others." Due to coronavirus gathering restrictions, services for Mr. Clark will be private for his immediate family. Expressions of sympathy can be directed to Kane Funeral Home in Easton, Massachusetts at www.kanefuneralhome.com. Burial will be at Furnace Village Cemetery in South Easton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.