Hugh Clarkin

Hugh Adrian Clarkin "Buddy"

Lansing

Passed away peacefully on Monday, June 9, 2014. Hugh was born in the Burrough of Manhattan on March 12, 1930 to John L. and Mary A. (Doyle) Clarkin. Hugh was educated in the New York City Public School System and later attended MSU where he studied Criminal Justice.  He proudly served in the United States Marine Corp from 1951 to 1955 and the Reserve Unit from 1955 to 1958. After his honorable discharge, Hugh was active in the Marine Corp League, serving as State Department Commandant in 1978-1980. He was also a member of the American Legion and the VFW. He retired from the State of Michigan, having served as Deputy Director of the Railroad Division then moved to Gettysburg, PA, because of his love of Civil War history. Hugh was a lifelong active member of the Catholic Church. Hugh moved back to Lansing in August 2013. Hugh is the 10th of 13 children.

He is survived by his sisters: Jane (Pete) McFadden, Helen Clarkin and Irene (Frank) Dowd and his brother, James George (Judy) Clarkin, 9 children: Hugh D. (Shirley) Clarkin, Colleen M. (Rick) Sears, Sueann C. Daughton, Bridget M. McDonnell, twins, Sean D. and Seamus P. (Georgina) Clarkin, Colin M. Clarkin, Erin L. Gregoire and Dermot A. Clarkin, 23 Grandchildren: Heather, Hugh Brian, Jasmyne, Jessica, Jaclyne, Josephine, Elizabeth, Elise, Natalie, Rachell, Andrea, Audrey, Amberly, Seamus Jr, Michelle, Shawn, Meghan, Colin Jr, Nicholas, Jacob, Stephanie, Alex, Aiden, 30 great grandchildren, many loving nieces and nephews and his former step daughters: Lori and Jennifer as well as his good friends, Charlie and Virginia Spagnuolo. Hugh was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Clarkin, his brothers, John, Robert and Patrick and sisters Isabelle, Margaret, Mary, Catherine and Annie, and his twin daughters: Patricia Ann and Pamela Sue, grand daughter Tiffany, great grand daughter Anna-Marie and many friends - Hugh never met a stranger.

A special thanks to Great Lakes Caring Hospice and the staff at the Willows of East Lansing for their kind and wonderful care of Hugh and his family.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at 10:00 at Cristo Rey Catholic Church, 201 W. Miller Rd., Lansing, with Rev. Fr. Fred Thelen as celebrant.  The family will receive friends Monday 6-8 pm, with a Marine Corp League Service at 7:30 pm at the Palmer, Bush & Jensen Family Funeral Homes, Holt-Delhi Chapel 5035 Holt Rd, and Tuesday beginning at 9:00 am at the church.  Interment will follow in Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, MI at 2:30PM. Condolences can be made at www.palmerbush.com.