REV. CANON LAWRENCE D. CLARK JR.

PORTLAND – The Rev. Canon Lawrence D. Clark Jr., 81, of Portland, died Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008, at The Cedars. He was born April 9, 1927, a son of Lawrence D. Clark Sr. and Irene (Libby) Clark. He attended local schools, and graduated from South Portland High School. He attended the University of Maine, formerly Portland Junior College and graduated from Bowdoin College in 1950. Father Clark then graduated from General Theological Seminary in 1953. He eventually furthered his education in 1981 at the University of Maine – Farmington with studies in Anglican theology, modern theological systems and contemporary apologetics. Father Clark began his vocation as Vicar of St. Barnabas Church, Rumford. Upon his ordination as priest in 1954, he remained as vicar until 1966 when he was elected as rector. He held that position until 1974 and during that time, the parish became more involved in community affairs, as well as fiscally secure. On Nov. 18, 1974, Father Clark was elected rector of St. Dunstan Church, Ellsworth, and he celebrated his first Eucharist there on the first Sunday of Advent; it was from St. Dunstan’s that he retired. Father Clark was a trustee of Rumford Public Library, a board member and later president of Rumford Community Center, a director of Tri-County Mental Health Association, and a member and officer of a local professional men’s literary club. In Ellsworth Father Clark served as a member and president of Hancock County Mental Health Association, was a charter member of Susan W. Stinson Memorial Scholarships and served as vice chairman of Diocese of Maine’s Acadia Regional Council. He also established Merestead summer camp and later Bishopswood, for children of the Episcopal community to enjoy a summer camping experience. Father Clark is survived by several cousins. A funeral service and burial will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Cathedral Church of St. Luke, 143 State St., Portland. Interment will be at Steep Falls Cemetery, Steep Falls. Arrangements are by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ctcrawford.com.