J Wayne Clarke

Born on September 20, 1946 in Little Pond, Wayne was the son of the late John and Helen Clarke (Boutilier). He is survived by his loving partner, Rejean Basque, his brothers Ralph of Johnson Rd. and Cameron of Little Pond, his sister Elaine of Johnson Rd. Also left to mourn is his special aunt Josephine Clarke of Florence, numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews in New Brunswick.

Wayne dedicated 34 years of his life to teaching mathematics in various schools across Sydney Mines and Florence. Known for his organizational flair and precision, he took great pride in coordinating school functions and ensuring everything ran smoothly. He was a committed member of the Nova Scotia Teacher's Union, contributing his time to several local and provincial committees.

After retiring, Wayne relocated to Moncton, where he lived for 24 years. Never one to sit idle, he worked part time at Sobeys and Superstore, thriving in customer service roles where his outgoing nature truly shone. Wayne had a natural gift for connecting with people. He also had a well known appreciation for the finer things in life. He was rarely seen without stylish jewelry, his collection of watches, rings and chains often the subject of friendly family teasing.

Wayne returned home to Cape Breton every Christmas and summer. These trips always included quiet visits to local cemeteries, a tradition he kept faithfully, tending to the graves of loved ones with respect and remembrance.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Church, Sydney Mines on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 11:00am with Father Fabian Ihunegbo officiating. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Johnson Rd. A reception will be held in the parish hall following the service. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family by visiting twcurry.com.

In memory of Wayne, donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Society or the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia.