Obituary of Gregory V. Clarke

Gregory V. Clarke, 93, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2023 at his home in Malta, NY. 
Gregory is survived by his daughters, Cathy (Steve) and Jude (Tony), numerous nieces, nephews, and an even larger group of great friends. He is predeceased by his beloved wife of 68 years and a day, Rosalie (Cayon) Clarke; parents George and Christine (Ingalls) Clarke; sister, Jacqueline Sheehan; many nieces and nephews, and his grandson, Michael.

Gregory was born on December 3, 1929 in Boston, MA. Although raised in East Boston, he spent childhood summers with his maternal grandparents in West Buxton, Maine, where he learned to whittle and to love music. He graduated from East Boston Vocational High School in 1947, and joined the United States Air Force, serving in Sendai, Japan during the post war reconstruction until 1950 – an influential part of his life as he grew to appreciate the people and culture of Japan.

He married Rosalie, the love of his life, on January 31st, 1953. Together they built a home in West Buxton, Maine, made many friends (as they do), and began to raise their daughters. Greg’s work brought them to their home in Charlton, New York in 1966, where they spent the next 40 some years.  
Greg and Rosalie joined the Pick’n’ and Sing’n’ Gather’n, Inc. (a local folk music club) in the late 1960’s and have been among its most stalwart members for over 50 years. Through the PSG, Greg and Rosalie made lifelong friends into a second family.  

A true Renaissance man, Greg was a meat cutter, then a tool and die maker, then model builder by day, and a woodworker, luthier, singer and raconteur by night. He retired from his near-dream job at the age of 61, after twenty-some years at the New York State Education Department Museum Exhibit Center, and turned his attention to exploring life’s simple pleasures - friends, travel and his many, ever expanding, interests. He was a friend to nearly everyone he met, and an inspiration to people of many callings.

Greg and Rosalie both requested a huge party. Plans are in the works. 

Memorial contributions may be made to The Pick'n' & Sing'n' Gather'n', Inc., c/o Judy Pardee, 3532 E Lydius St, Schenectady, NY 12303.

Online condolences may be made at glenvillefuneralhome.com