Thomas Hugh Clarke Jr.

A native of Manhattan, New York, Tom was born to the late Thomas and Marguerite Reilly Clarke on September 7, 1941. He was a veteran of the United States Navy where he was trained as an Electrician. He later became a licensed Master Plumber prior to working as Senior Building Inspector for the Town of North Hempstead on Long Island, New York. Upon his retirement in 2004, he and his wife relocated to Ayden, NC to be closer to family.

Tom enjoyed collecting coins and was a diecast car enthusiast with a vast collection of many models of cars. He also enjoyed learning history as well as solving puzzles.

He is survived by wife of 47 years, Kathleen G. Clarke; sons, Thomas Clarke of Thailand and David Schneidewind and wife, Charlene, of Long Island, NY; daughters, Patricia “Patti” Mormondo and Kathleen Szaro, both of Apex; 8 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; sisters, Marguerite Clarke, Marilyn Sheffield, and Elizabeth Clarke, all of Long Island, NY; and beloved by many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held for family and friends on July 7, 2026 from 3-5 pm and 7-9pm at Arthur F. White Funeral Home, 234 Broadway, Bethpage, New York 11714. Interment of ashes to be held July 8, 2026 at Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, NY at 12:00 pm.