John Houstoun M. Clinch Jr.

A service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, October 1st at the Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, 17 Middle St., South Dartmouth, MA. Rev. Dr. Will Sencabaugh and Rev. Diana Phillips will officiate.

Howie was born June 13, 1934, in Evanston, IL, to Frances (Bell) Clinch and J.H.M. Clinch. He graduated from Dartmouth College and Tuck Business School and then served as a Naval officer. He married Deborah Robertson Clinch in 1957 (deceased Jan. 2008). They lived in Cleveland, OH and then moved to Winnetka, IL where they raised their three children. The family spent many happy years summering in South Dartmouth, MA.

Howie worked professionally as a banking consultant and was a very active community member. Many of his volunteer activities revolved around young people. He helped start the New Trier Township Peer Jury program and served as commissioner for the Winnetka Park District.

He retired in 2001 and moved to South Dartmouth permanently. He continued his volunteer work locally by helping to start the Youth Court here in New Bedford and was active in the Smiles Mentor Program. Howie also served as a board member and treasurer for the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust (DNRT). In addition to his volunteer activities, Howie’s infectious zest for life kept him busy sailing, gardening and spending time with family and his many friends. He was also an active member of The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth.

Howie and Kathleen (Kathy) Chase celebrated their marriage on August 7, 2010 along with their happy family and many dear friends.

Howie is survived by his wife Kathleen Chase Clinch; children Bradford Robertson Clinch, J. Houstoun M. Clinch III, and Louisa Bell Erickson; his daughter-in-law Diana Clinch and son-in-law Jason Gregory Erickson; his grandson Daniel Edward Clinch and granddaughters Sarah Bell Erickson and Abigail Suzanne Clinch; step-daughters Kristin Barclay and Sharyn Leaver and their husbands Michael Barclay and Scott Leaver along with their children Chase Barclay, Greer Barclay and Maggie Leaver. He is also survived by his sister Frances Jones and her husband Gordon along with many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust, PO Box P17, 404 Elm Street, Dartmouth, MA 02748 or SMILES Mentoring, PO Box 1712, New Bedford, MA 02741. For online tributes please visit: www.dartmouthfuneralhome.com