AUGUSTA – Wayne D. Clarke Sr. passed away Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007, with his loving wife and children by his side. He was born Feb. 12, 1954, to Ralph D. and Charlotte (Benson) Clarke. Wayne graduated from Skowhegan High School in 1972. He married the love of his life, Linda (Gillette) Clarke in 1982. Together they raised a loving family. He was very proud of the accomplishments that each of his children made. He was a loving and devoted husband and father. Wayne lived life to the fullest extent that he could, despite all his battles with kidney failure and dialysis. He never let it get him down or in the way of enjoying his family. Wayne was employed by Fort Western Tire Co., Augusta, from 1985 until they closed their doors in 2003. He loved playing the guitar and singing even if it was just around the campfire with his friends. He had a wonderful singing voice and at one point had formed his own band called “Clarke Bros. & Co.” During his younger years, he was a Den Leader, along with his wife, for Pack 603 of Augusta, and later served as treasurer for the Cony High School Music Boosters. He enjoyed being involved in his boys’ lives, watching them grow, play ball and turn into grown men. Wayne was a member of the Augusta Elks Lodge No. 964 for 24 years. He and his wife always did things together. He was the light of her life, her rock and soul mate. Wayne was known as “dad” to every kid that entered his home. Wayne is leaving behind a very special person in his life, who he enjoyed going to breakfast with every Friday morning at Danny D’s or Pat’s Pizza, his mother-in-law, Phyllis Turner of Augusta. If she did not call, he would call her and say “let’s go to breakfast.” He was predeceased by his mother in 1986 and his father in 2006. He will be sadly missed by his “adopted” family, Sal Cirello and Jessica Crawford, who called Wayne “dad;” and their two children, Michael and Genna, who referred to Wayne as “grandpa.” He will be especially missed by his feline companions, Ringo and Harr-ison; and his granddog, Mickey. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Rachel of Conway, N.H.; three sons, Brian and his wife, Wendy, of Tamworth, N.H., Wayne II and Christopher, both of Augusta; four grandchildren, two brothers, three sisters, several nieces and nephews. Wayne’s family would like to extend a special thanks to all the dialysis nurses and physicians at the dialysis unit at Thayer Hospital, Waterville, who had cared for him in the last 18 years. Visiting hours will be held Sunday 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, One Church St., Augusta and 10-11 a.m. Monday at Penny Memorial United Baptist Church, Augusta, where a funeral service will be held 11 a.m. with the Rev. Eric Moore officiating. Spring burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, Augusta. After the service, a reception will be held at the Augusta Elks Club. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Wayne’s name may be made to The National Kidney Foundation of Maine, P.O. Box 1134, Portland, ME 04104-1134 or The American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852. www.khrfuneralhomes.com
WAYNE D. CLARKE SR.
