Clark Newell

Clark Newell, only child of Shirley Clark Newell Lauffer of Wellfleet, died at Brigham and Women’s hospital of acute myeloid leukemia on October 17. This disease, with no prodromal symptoms, had a sudden onset and with devastating speed, shut down major organs starting with his kidneys.

Upon hearing his diagnosis, he requested his tablet, read quietly, then said, “Who would believe ¬I have cancer? I never smoked, drank, used a microwave, didn’t eat any sugar and went outside to get vitamin D each day.” He paused and said, “Well, I’ve had a good life”. Considering Clark’s distrust and fear of people and places in the medical field, he showed great courage, stoically experiencing multiple difficult procedures in the last days of his life in a great effort to help him.

Clark was born in Cambridge, MA on Thanksgiving Day, 1949. The environment and magic tricks were life long interests. He loved being on his bunk room roof at night, watching the moon and stars. He enjoyed magicians and puzzling out how tricks worked and if he could duplicate the materials and craftsmanship. Three long time friends have made his biodegradable casket. His needs were simple and minimal. He loved his little home in Yarmouth, a location that earned him several offers through the years to sell it and live easy, but he would never trade his beloved home for money, no matter how much.

Clark could see below the surface and could repair almost anything. He once had a job as a caretaker at a property with very old steam boilers in the basement. He went to the library and taught himself to keep them running, much to the delight of the grateful tenants.

Clark was predeceased by his father Dwight Newell, of West Yarmouth MA, whose ashes are to be buried with his son. Dwight was a conscientious objector during WWII who worked his service through the Heifer Project, taking shiploads of farm animals and tools to Europe, eating and sleeping with the cows and pigs below deck. After his service he worked at the Harvard Psych Lab until he fulfilled a lifelong wish to become a teacher. He taught English, as did his parents.

Clark was extraordinarily principled. Honesty was central in all his dealings. He was concerned with racial justice. He often spoke of the current ill treatment of underprivileged people. He kept fond thoughts of his visits to Jamaica, the people, the food (bread especially), and the land. He often cited examples of cruelty in war and cruelty to animals. He had recently buried two rabbits which caused him great distress.

Lovingly called Thumper after Walt Disney’s rabbit, Clark was kind and gentle. He was a strict vegetarian who loved pizza.

A service of remembrance will be at Oakdale Cemetery in Wellfleet, weather permitting, or Nickerson Funeral Home on Main Street in Wellfleet, on Saturday, November 2 at noon. Pizza at the Flying Fish to follow.

Please, no flowers. Remembrances may be made to CASAS Cat Shelter in Provincetown in memory of Clark and his cat Roger.