James J. Clark

When I was in the hospital with my father, when he was nearing the end of his time, I asked the hospital chaplain to come in and pray with me. After he read some passages, he asked mehow would you describe your father? A splurge of emotion came over me. How can I possibly describe, in a few short words what this man meant to me? I think I managed to sputter out a wordGenerous, I think I said.he was a generous man. Here I am again today, trying to manage a few descriptive words about him and stumbling over my thoughts. I thought about trying to write a poem or a funny quip, but as many of you probably know, my father was the quintessential wordsmith. In fact, he is probably quite amused that I just used that word. I quickly realized that anything that I would put together would pale in comparison to the beautiful and thoughtful words he wrote himself. My father, known by his peers as JJ, by his co-workers as Mr. FED, by his children as dad and by his grandchildren as Pop-Pop was a generous spirit. He loved his family, both near and far, immediate or extended, and not in just the traditional sense, but in all the subtle shades in which love presents itself in the form of a family. He kept his friendships, many of which spanned centuries, through simple notes and meaningful encounters. That's something that is commendable to me, in world which has become further disconnected by electronics and faceless exchanges. His quick wit earned him many a conversation with a stranger. Pop loved to travel. I think that I have seen many places and owe much of my life experiences due to his adventurous spirit and his insistence that I come along, and I gladly did. He did travel much with his job and I suspect as a result of missing some of that time away from home, he wanted nothing more than to spend time with his grandchildren. He would be the first to volunteer to buy an ice cream or a pin-wheel, the first to endure an uncomfortable set of bleachers to cheer at a sporting event, or stand in line for hours at an amusement parkall for the children. And of course, there were the beloved holiday trips. Excuses for him to buy things. I still marvel at the energy and spunk he displayed well into his later years, even when mom was the one lagging behind. One of the many things he taught me was to slow down and enjoy those special moments in life. While my father was not a church-goer, I would say with confidence, and I think God would agree with me, that he was deeply spiritual. One only needs to read some of his poetry to see that. Pop's biggest legacy for us, however, was tradition and the significance that it brings to the family. He made every holiday meaningful. I know that anyone who had the benefit of sharing the holidays with him took away a little something more for the experienceand he inspired others to keep those same traditions. He was, indeed, our "Father Christmas" and as Charles Dickens wrote of Scrooge in knowing how to keep Christmas well, he certainly did, and embodied it all year round. Truth be told, I cannot summarize all of my father's qualities in a few short words, or the immeasurable influence he had on me and others. I cannot. But, this is about letting it go, and letting the example he left take root. English author Albert Pine once said, "What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others in the world, remains and is immortal." Rest peacefully Pop and know that your spirit will endure with us forever. ------------------------------------------------------------- James J. Clark of Sandy Court, West Hurley died Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at Catskill Regional Medical Center, Harris. He was 89. He was born in Brooklyn, a son of the late Charles and Louise Schubert Clark. From 1942 - 1946 he served in the US Coast Guard during WW II. On October 18, 1955 he married Catherine Preston. Mr. Clark worked as a bank examiner for the Federal Reserve Bank, New York City. He retired in 1986. He enjoyed writing poetry and was a fan of the Mets and Rangers. He belonged to the V.F.W. Beloved husband of Catherine Clark, loving father of Jeffrey Clark of Saugerties, Julie Richmond and her husband Jeff of Hurleyville, and Jami Dymond and her husband Rich of Kingston; brother of the late Louise Mason, Charles "Sonny" Clark and Harold "Buster" Clark; grandfather of Richard Dymond Jr. and Jiangni Brown. Many nieces and nephews also survive. Reposing at the Simpson - Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave. on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A Funeral Service will be conducted at the funeral home on Saturday at 10:00 a.m., Fr. Frank Damis will officiate. Interment will follow in New Paltz Rural Cemetery's Veteran Section. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ulster County SPCA, 20 Wiedy Rd., Kingston, NY 12401 or the Alzheimer's Assoc, 2 Jefferson Plaza, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603.