Peter Clark

Peter Clark Sr., age 89, of Eltingville, Staten Island, NY passed away Wednesday April 30, 2025, within the comfort and care of his beloved family both near and far.
Peter was an immensely proud first generation Irish-American, born in Brooklyn, NY to Peter (County Longford) and Hanoria McCarthy Clark (Co. Limerick, Ireland). He went to grammar school at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Fort Hamilton High School in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. He graduated from City College of New York with a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering and a Professional Engineer (PE) Certification.
Peter had several jobs in his younger years but was most proud of his service as an altar boy at OLPH parish. As he worked his way through college, he was employed as a Draftsman at Texaco Oil Company, and then the NYC Board of Water Supply. He later held the title of Chief Engineer with the NYC Department of Transportation (Division of Marine and Aviation). He was recruited by then Staten Island Borough President Ralph Lamberti to serve on his staff as Borough Engineer. He was retained in the same position by the next BP Guy Molinari.
After retiring from New York City service, Peter did consulting work for engineering and construction firms. Always having a thirst for continuing education, he taught himself Tax Accounting and began working for H&R Block. He spent a number of years volunteering with AARP and other local senior citizens organizations doing pro-bono tax advising.
Peter served in the Field Artillery Branch of the United States Army as a Forward Observer (currently known as Joint Fire Support Specialist 13F). He attended basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey and Artillery Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma prior to being posted to Germany for two years. He liked to joke that Germany caused a bit of trouble during WW1 and WW2, but they did not dare step out of line in the 1950s when ''Little Pete from Down the Street'' was in town. He was the son of a WW1 veteran, brother of a Navy man and grandfather of two U.S. Army officers. Peter was exceptionally proud of his and his family's military service.
Peter was the quintessential ''Quiet Man''. If you asked for his help or advice or opinion, he would honestly and earnestly give it. If you didn't ask, he'd stay out of your business (but he'd still have an opinion!). He was a tinkerer who loved tools. He thought himself a Mr. Fixit and attended to many odd jobs and home improvement projects around his house. Personal Computers became a huge hobby of his, prior to most people even owning one. He even had a room devoted to his computer building components. He was his family and friend's computer consultant before the Genius Bar at the Apple Store even existed. Peter was also a sports fan, particularly his Brooklyn Dodgers. After they abandoned his hometown, he switched his allegiance to the New York Mets. He was a faithful attendee at the sporting events of his many children and grandchildren. He even coached, umpired and volunteered throughout the years.
Peter met the love of his life Natalie (Strype) at Our Lady of Perpetual Help school. They were married in that same church on October 18, 1958. They settled in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn and began raising a large loving family and later relocating to Staten Island. Peter and Natalie's marriage was blessed with eight children: Colleen (Bellone), Peter Jr., Phyllis (Fernandez), Richard, Glenn, Stephanie (MacGregor), Christopher and Kevin. They are the grandparents of nineteen and great-grandparents of seven (and counting). They have enjoyed a beautiful and devoted marriage for sixty-seven years. Besides his parents, Peter is predeceased by his brother Jack and sister Geraldine (McKecknie).
Friends may visit with the family at the John Vincent Scalia Home for Funerals at 28 Eltingville Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10312 on Monday morning May 5, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m..
A Funeral Service will be held directly afterward at the Scalia Funeral Home with burial to follow at Resurrection Cemetery (Staten Island, NY).
At your discretion, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Tunnel 2 Towers Organization www.T2T.org or your preferred charity, would be greatly appreciated.