JAMES H. CLARK

ELLSWORTH – James Harrison Clark, 73, died Oct. 5, 2008, at a Bangor health care facility. He was born Nov. 1, 1934, in North Anson, the son of Daniel H. and Gertrude (Young) Clark. At an early age, he moved with his parents to the town of Stonington and always remembered his childhood there with great fondness. His father was manager of the cannery and Jim would often go out on fishing boats, taking in the salt air and developing an insatiable appetite for seafood. During World War II, he went with his parents on coastal watch duties, which prompted a lifelong interest in aviation. Jim graduated from Stonington High School, Class of 1953. For the rest of his life, he kept contact with his classmates and frequently organized, or attended, reunions. He obtained his bachelor’s degree at Colby College, Waterville, in 1957. Subsequently, he served in the U.S. Army in the late 1950s, achieving rank of specialist four. While in the service, his duties included air traffic control, which sharpened his love of light planes. A civilian career in social services came after, during which he received his masters in social work from Simmons College, Boston, in 1969. In the many years he spent helping hundreds of people, Jim worked for Department of Human Services, Good Samaritan Agency and St. Michael’s Center. Jim was a man of great wit who loved Down East humor. He had a never-ending desire to learn new things and especially loved nature. In his later years, he would regularly take long, moonlit walks from his log cabin down his quiet road, studying the stars and listening to the rippling Union River. He frequently indulged his interest in airplanes, going to floatplane “fly-ins” at Moosehead Lake, watching antiques take to the air at Owl’s Head, and sitting awe-struck in the back seat of a glider swooping over Frenchman’s Bay. A long involvement in Civil Air Patrol gave him the opportunity to pass this interest on to many young people. Other young folks were fortunate to have him as a mentor, a practice, which he continued to his last days. Also occupying him in later years was his work at Mount Desert Island Information Center, where his love for his home state and his frequent travels provided a deep well of information for tourists. Many bewildered visitors were put at ease by his calm, slow instructions and suggestions. He loved the company of his large extended family, and was active as a member of Friends of the Ellsworth City Library and Stonington High School Alumni Association. He is survived by his many, many cousins and friends. Special friends include Charlotte and Bryce Morse of Sangerville; Billy Joe Cove, Faye Faulkingham and Helen Oliver, all of Stonington; Benjamin Moore of Blue Hill; and the Povich family, Michael, Judy, Matthew, Kerean and Abby; and his beloved “Bomber,” a 1977 Oldsmobile 442. Jim is surely cruising right now in a muscle car in heaven, sunglasses on and gripping the stick shift. Memorial services will be held 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth. Committal services will be 3 p.m. at Sunset Cemetery, Pleasant Street, North Anson. Those who desire may make contributions in Jim’s memory to New Hope Hospice, P.O. Box 757, East Holden, ME 04429 or Friends of Ellsworth City Library, 20 State St. Ellsworth, ME 04605. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.