Hays Clark

CLARK-Hays, 88, retired Executive Vice President and Director of Avon Products Inc. died of complications associated with conjunctive heart failure on June 18 at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center in Florida. He was a resident of Hobe Sound, Florida and he maintained a home in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. Hays grew up in Suffern, New York. He attended the Loomis Institute in Windsor, Connecticut, where he excelled in athletics. He went on to Cornell University where he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1941. He served on destroyers in the US Navy during WWII in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theatres and was discharged in 1945 as a Lieutenant Commander. While serving in the Navy, he earned the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for bravery. Hays joined Avon in 1945 as an engineer in the Suffern, NY manufacturing plant. He became a division sales manager and subsequently a manufacturing manager. In 1960, he was elected corporate Vice President in charge of the international division, and in 1965, he became a division sales manager and subsequently a manufacturing manager. In 1960, he was elected corporate Vice President in charge of the international division, and in 1965, he became President of the International Division. He led the development of Avon's international business. He was elected to the Avon Board of Directors in 1967, and in July 1968, he was promoted to Executive Vice President. He retired from Avon in April 1976 after 30 years with the company. Education and giving underprivileged children a chance to succeed in life were major interests for Hays. He served on the National Board of Governors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. He founded several local clubs and was actively involved with several others. He was honored with the Herbert Hoover Humanitarian Award, the highest tribute the Boys and Girls Club of America can bestow on a volunteer. For several years, he chaired the Board of Trustees of the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, and served on boards of Cornell University, the New York Cornell Medial Center, the Loomis Institute, and several other education, research, and philanthropic organizations. An avid sailor and explorer, he was elected Commodore of the Indian Harbor Yacht Club in Greenwich, CT. And he was an active member of the New York Yacht Club, the Cruising Club of America, Jupiter Island Club (FL), University Club (NYC), and Round Hill Country Club (CT). His ocean racing, cruising and exploring activities ranged from the Caribbean, Baffin Island and Newfoundland. His athletic interests, in addition to sailing, included golf and tennis. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Rosamond Seidel Clark of Hobe Sound, Florida; three children, H. Lawrence Clark of Chevy Chase, Md., Harris W. Clark of Dallas, Tex., and Valerie Clark McNeely of Newtown Square, Pa.; brother, James McConnell Clark of Palm Beach, Fl and Woods Hole, Ma; eight grandchildren; and a greatgranddaughter. There will be a private family burial service on July 1, 2006 in Hobe Sound. A memorial service is being planned for November. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to local clubs of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.