Stanley Shields Clarke

September 7th, 1934 - June 30th, 2013

With country music playing in the background, family and friends at his side and his beloved dog Roxy curled up beside him; we said goodbye to our Dad as he sailed off on his final journey.

Born in Vancouver, the 6th of 11 children and due to his curly blonde hair was teasingly known as ‘Snow White with the 7 sisters’.

He grew up with a strong work ethic and with a wicked sense of humor-both leading to a myriad of adventures. He was a good athlete in high school and excelled in many sports including boxing and running.

His love for the ocean developed early and he began his career on boats at a young age. Although he never learned how to swim, he became a very proficient Captain/Master/Skipper of towing vessels and his trips took him up and down the west coast of British Columbia and even as far south as California. He was a proud member of the Canadian Merchant Service Guild. Dad supplemented his income in the early days with odd jobs such as driving taxi, piling bricks, selling vacuums and even creating sets at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

He met Mom, Eunice Gislason, through his sister Shirley and they were married in 1957.

Laura was born the following spring and Anne came 20 months later. Dad and Uncle Ted built their first house on Charland Avenue in Coquitlam and the family enjoyed many years in the area. In the late 60’s Mom and Dad decided to move out ‘to the country’, and bought a small hobby farm in Greendale.

Dad learned quickly about ‘farm life’ and how to outrun those ‘cats with white stripes’ down their backs, as well as how to build fences and more fences and more fences. There was a menagerie of animals and most turned into pets rather than sources of food.

Dad continued to work out of town and during his 2 weeks home was never found sitting, but working on the list Mom had compiled in his absence.

In 1971, Dad took on a very large adventure when he sailed a large ship named the Samarinda to Singapore while towing a barge with a smaller vessel on it. It was several weeks before we heard from Dad when he reached Hawaii and Southeast Asia, Indonesia and the Philippines’. We joined him there for the middle year and experienced the beautiful culture as well.

Soon after settling back home, Dad started working for Seaspan International.

Patti came along in 1974 and with her lots of ‘fun’ with horses and their events. Dad was always there to haul a horse or build a fence. (Did I already mention fencing?) He enjoyed camping and visiting with the other equestrian families.

Scott was the first grandchild, born in 1983. The picture of him and Dad hand in hand, each with one pant leg tucked into a boot, will forever be in our minds. He loved his grandchildren and was always a good sport and willing to play games or amuse them by tucking his ear inside out.

He worked for Seaspan for 22years until his retirement in 1999. It was a huge blow to dad losing Mom only 6 months before that retirement.

He sold the farm and moved into Chilliwack, but moved to Salmon Arm within a few years to realize a dream he and mom had shared.

He made some great friends while living there and bought a little boat to putt around the lake and fish in.

After a scare with colon cancer, dad decided (with our help) to move back to Chilliwack to be closer to us.

Many nights playing cards and dice with Betty and Herb and sometimes Enid too (thank you for being such great friends) and helping us with advice and home projects filled his days and nights.

As his health declined in the past year, he found enjoyment with his little dog Roxy and watching old movies.

The memories are too vast to capture in this notation, but Dad will always be remembered for his dedication to family and friends and his willingness to help anyone, anytime, anyhow. Whether by brawn, knowledge, advice or finances, Dad was always there. One of his favorite sayings was there is ‘three sides to every story, his side, her side and the truth’. He was a fair man and a well respected Master Seaman. He never asked for anything in return and certainly never wanted to be ‘cared for’. He was the caregiver. He loved Purdy’s chocolates, peanut brittle and Mac and cheese; country music, Tina Turner, dogs and his family.

Predeceased by his wife Eunice in 1998, his parents Herman and Olive Clarke, siblings Peggy Fitzpatrick, Bertha Smith, Ted Clarke, James Clarke, Shirley McLaren and Dorothy Smith.

Dad is survived by his siblings Marion Noel, Beverley Hobden, John Clarke and Barbara Simmons, his children Laura Clarke, Anne Clarke and Patti Fox, grandchildren Scott Clarke Taylor and his fiancée Allison, Leanne Friesen (Vandenberg) and husband Mark, Derek Vandenberg, Samantha Fox and Glenn Fox, many nieces and nephews. We all will miss him more than words can say.

There are so many people to thank for being in ours and Dads life: Joilyn for being his constant care companion over the past few months (his Filipino Flower…Gloria too!)…Ria and Hank for their unending dedicated friendship, Jerry and Carol and little Fritz for the insistent visits even when Dad wasn’t ‘receptive’, the fabulous staff at Cascade Lodge during his brief stay, in particular Heidi, Teresa, Julia and Donna. Dr. Howie Bright for the many years of care for Dad and Dr. Alex Bartel for his invaluable care and comfort during these final weeks and days.

Dad did not want a funeral service but a celebration of his life will be hosted at Laura’s house on August 10th 1pm to 4pm. For directions and details contact: [email protected] .

He will be laid to rest next to Mom at Chilliwack Cemeteries on Hillcrest Drive.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Dad’s name could be given to either Children’s hospital or the SPCA - Dad’s favorite charities.

Your journey on earth is over now Dad, the seas are finally calm, skies clear, the wind is low, sail on, sail on …the horizon is bright and warm and welcoming. It’s heaven.