Clark A. Tooly

1936 - 2017

Clark A. Tooly 1936 - 2017
Loving Husband, Father, Grandfather and Brother
DOLGEVILLE - Clark A. Tooly, 80, of Dolgeville, New York, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, January 14, 2017, at Valley Health Services in Herkimer, New York.
He was born on February 2, 1936, in Theresa, New York, and was the son of the late Emory and Marian (VanderBurgh) Tooly. Clark completed his undergraduate education at Dolgeville Central School and graduated with the Class of 1953. He also attended Rochester Institute of Technology after graduation.
On March 21, 1954, Clark was united in marriage to the former Irene L. Carlson at the Dolgeville United Methodist Church, Dolgeville, New York. The couple would have shared a blessed union of 63 years this year.
Clark was formerly employed at several positions in the past, including a buyer for Remington Arms in Ilion, New York, police officer for the Village of Dolgeville, New York, and retiring as a graphic artist in the printing department for Herkimer County, State of New York.
Clark was also involved in many organizations such as a member of the Dolgeville Volunteer Fire Department, the Dolgeville Fire Department Benevolent Association, a Trustee for the Village of Dolgeville, a member and former Lay Leader of the Dolgeville United Methodist Church as well as a Trustee for the church, and a 57 year continuous member of the Dolgeville Lodge #796, F & AM Masonic Lodge, Dolgeville, NY. He held many positions being a Mason, including Master Mason, Worshipful Master, served as Trustee of the Lodge, Grand Lodge of New York Staff Officer, Treasurer of the Lodge, he was presented with 50 year service to Masonry in 2000 and was also a member of the Committee of Twenty One. R.W. Clark enjoyed being a Mason and spent many years making life long friendships and bonds within the brotherhood.
He had many accomplishments and hobbies, including an avid marksman, a professional videographer, a recreational bowler, a NASCAR enthusiast, a motorcyclist, and a competitive 'pitch' card player. In the early days, he was a go-cart racer and scuba diving instructor. He was a radio-controlled airplane builder and taught his son and one of his grandsons to fly. He was one of the charter members of the Black Sheep Squadron, a radio-controlled airplane organization based in Dolgeville, NY. Later on in life, he achieved his designation as a Certified Lay Minister and enjoyed preaching in many churches, including the Lassellsville Methodist Church.
His most precious time was that spent in the company of his loved ones. A beloved husband, loving father, cherished grandfather, godfather to his grandson, Geoff, and special friend. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Clark is survived by his loving wife, Irene L. Tooly, at home; a daughter, Lenore Signorelli and her husband, Richard, of Dolgeville, NY; a son, Clark E. Tooly, of Denver, CO; his grandchildren, Geoffrey P. Gabriel, of Christiansburg, VA, Brian A. Gabriel and his fiance, Christopher Karmel, of Guilderland, NY, Alexander D. Tooly, of Longmont, CO, and Elizabeth L. Tooly, of Longmont, CO; a daughter-in-law, Connie Tooly, of Longmont, CO; two sisters, Grace E. Spencer and her companion, William Carroll, of Ilion, NY, and Susan L. DeLuco and her husband, George, of Dolgeville, NY; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Gus L. Carlson, of Middleville, NY, Vivian J. Atutis and her husband, Francis, of Little Falls, NY, Lillian A. Boyer, of Dolgeville, NY, Jane Carlson, of New Hartford, NY, Barbara M. Grimmer and her husband, John, of Dolgeville, NY, and Carol E. Wesley and her husband, Edward, of Dolgeville, NY; step-grandchildren, Richard Signorelli's daughter, Michelle Signorelli Schoff and her husband, Raymond, of Whitesboro, NY, and their children, Athena and Fiona; dear friends, David Champion, of Little Falls, NY, and Pastor Marvin Isum, of Dolgeville, NY; many nieces and nephews; and several cousins.
He was predeceased by a sister-in-law, Helen Carlson, and two brothers-in-law, Karl R. Carlson and Arthur Boyer.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, January 20, 2017, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Miller-Plonka Funeral Home, 30 Wolf Street, Dolgeville, New York 13329. Members of the Dolgeville Masonic Lodge #796 of the F & AM will hold a prayer service during calling hours at 6:30 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Saturday morning, January 21, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Jack Ford and Pastor Marvin Isum officiating. Burial will be in the Dolgeville Cemetery, Dolgeville, New York, in the spring.
The Tooly Family would like to thank Dr. William Parker and his wife, Jo Parker, RN, for their exceptional care and friendship through their many years of care for Clark.
In lieu of floral offerings, please consider memorial contributions to the Dolgeville Masonic Lodge #796 F & AM, P.O. Box 145, Dolgeville, NY 13329, the Dolgeville United Methodist Church, 21 N. Helmer Ave., Dolgeville, NY 13329, or the Dolgeville Christian Fellowship, 3 Elm St., Dolgeville, NY 13329.
To leave a message of sympathy for the Tooly Family, please visit www.millerplonkafuneralhome.com and sign the guest book.