Gerald "Gerry" E. Clark

On Dec. 4th, with his beloved wife Pam by his side, Gerry Clark, known to many as “Clarkie”, left this world peacefully after a hard fought battle against several recent illnesses.

Gerald Evans Clark was born on November 23, 1945 in Northampton to Robert E. And Marjorie A. (Goddard) Clark, the fourth of five children. A lifelong resident of Northampton, he grew up on Clark Ave. and attended local schools, graduating from the electrical program at Smith Vocational High School 1965. Following graduation he attended Springfield Technical Community College for a time before leaving to take a job with the New England Telephone Company.

He was drafted into the United States Army in 1965, attending basic and advanced training at Fort Dix, NJ, before being assigned to the 9th Infantry Division, which was preparing for deployment to Vietnam. Gerry began his yearlong tour in Vietnam in December 1966, serving as the company commander’s RTO (radio telephone operator) in C and Headquarters Companies, 2/60 Infantry, 9th Infantry Division in Tan Tru and the nearby area of Long An Province in the Mekong Delta. He was a recipient of numerous awards and decorations including the Combat Infantry Badge (which held special meaning to him), the Air Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. Following his tour, Gerry was honorably discharged in 1968 with the rank of Specialist E-4.

Following his service he returned to his job at the phone company where he stayed until retiring in 1994. Never one to stay still for long, Gerry later found work as head of security at Kollmorgen, and as a teacher at Smith Voc, before taking over as Hatfield’s Veterans Services Officer, a position that he devoted himself to for the past eight years, passionately serving the town’s veterans and their families.

Gerry had a true gift for bringing people together, something he skillfully put to use throughout his life, whether it was organizing Clark family reunions and winter hayrides, veterans events, car shows and Fields of Honor with the Elks, the 3 County Fair, and many other events and celebrations over the years. He was a member and leader of many civic and social organizations, including the Hatfield American Legion for over 50 years (including a past Commander), the Veterans of Foreign Wars for 50 years, the Northampton Lodge of Elks No. 997, the Northampton Veterans Council, the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 92 and the board of the 3 Country Fair.

He was predeceased by his parents, sister Nancy and brother Stu. He leaves behind his wife of 36 years, Pam, His sister Joyce-Ann Morin, brother Edson “Skip” Clark (Peggie), sister-in-law Cindy Healy (David), several nieces and nephews, many great and great-great nieces and nephews, as well as an extensive group of close friends amongst the veterans, civic and social communities around Northampton and Hatfield.

The family would like to thank the wonderful nursing staff of both West 2 at Cooley Dickinson and the 5th floor of the Daley building at Baystate, for there exceptional care of Gerry during his time with them.

Given Gerry’s commitment to veterans, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the veteran’s organization or charity of your choice.

Calling hours will be Sunday Dec. 11th from 1-4PM at the Ahearn Funeral Home, 783 Bridge Rd., Northampton.

A private burial will be held at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Agawam on Tuesday.

A celebration of life will be held at the Michael F Curtin VFW Post 8006 in Florence on Sunday Dec. 18th from 1-4 PM.

Ahearn Funeral Home
(413)587-0044