John Charles Clark

Born in Brockton, Massachusetts on April 27, 1947, to Paul and Mary Clark, John lived a life defined by curiosity, intellect, humor and deep devotion to his family and community.

John attended Tabor Academy, where he discovered a lifelong passion for rowing. In 1965, his crew won the prestigious Princess Elizabeth Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta in England — an achievement that remained one of the proudest moments of his life. He loved revisiting the memories of that race and sharing the footage with family and friends whenever he had the chance. He continued rowing at Syracuse University and later while in the Navy at Philadelphia’s famed Vesper Boat Club.

He completed his undergraduate studies at New York University and went on to earn his MBA from NYU as well. John built an accomplished career in finance and business leadership, working for Price Waterhouse in New York City and Warner Lambert before moving his family to Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1992 to become CFO of Parke-Davis Pharmaceuticals. In Ann Arbor, he became deeply involved in the civic and cultural life of the community he loved.

John served as Treasurer and later Chairman of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival and was an Elder at the Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor. He brought thoughtfulness, integrity and enthusiasm to every role he held.

John and his wife Nancy enjoyed a deep love of travel, exploring places like Australia, China, Egypt and India, drawn not simply by the destinations themselves, but by John’s deep interest in history and culture.

Those who knew John will remember him as smart and exceptionally funny. He had a gift for conversation and an ability to make people feel welcome and engaged. Outside of work and service, he found joy in building intricate ship models and collecting model trains — especially the iconic GG1, his favorite. He was a lifelong learner with wide-ranging interests and a genuine appreciation for craftsmanship, history and engineering.

Above all, John was devoted to his family. He is survived by Nancy, his beloved wife of 56 years; his daughters Kathryn (John) Brottem, Elizabeth Clark, and Margaret (Adam) Chaffee; and his five adored grandchildren, Avery and Alexandra Brottem, and Charlotte, Beau and Merrill Chaffee.

John’s family will remember him for his sharp mind, steady presence, playful sense of humor and the way he approached life with determination, warmth and optimism until the very end. His was a life well lived, deeply loved and richly shared with others.