Thomas Francis Clark

To those of you who read the letters written to the newspaper are probably well aware of the name: Thomas Francis Clark.

Sadly, Mr. Clark passed away in late February.

Mr. Clark would often write about his childhood and would often compare it to what the current generation is going through. He often wrote about everyday people that he encountered in his life, whether it be a school crossing guard, patients in Veteran’s and Nursing Homes (where he often volunteered) or well known personalities especially in the field of sports.

Most of his stories were based on baseball which he played since childhood and loved with a passion. He also  wrote about family, educators and friends and how much they influenced him as he grew up.

He was nearing his 80’s when he started to write letters to our paper. He always was up on all of the current hot topics and had comments and words of wisdom to make about each one.

He wrote about topics such as  school lunches comparing them to when he was growing up and he looked forward to getting to school early to help out the priest. He would be rewarded by having breakfast at school. He agreed how important it was for a child of today to have a breakfast because it’s not always available at home.

He was a big supporter of newspapers. In one of his letters he wrote: “Cell phones, computers and TV’s are great, but you’re missing the boat if you don’t have a newspaper in the house.”

He was very concerned about the suicide rate on the Victory Bridge and how many deaths would it take before something is done.

Tom always wrote about his love of baseball. He expressed that love in the letter: “Field of Dreams,” when the St. Louis Cardinals came to visit Metuchen to play.

Mr. Clark was in failing health, but whenever he felt a little better, he would often call us. He delighted in telling us that people would either call him or stop him on the street to let him know they saw his letters to the editor. They often agreed in what he said.

Whenever he had a doctor’s appointment he would take a copy of our paper and leave it in the waiting room.

If I wasn’t available when he called, I always made sure  when I called him back that I had at least 15 minutes to talk to him. I knew when I was going to talk to Mr. Clark, that we would lift each other’s spirits up.

Reading his obituary, one learns that he accomplished so much and touched so many lives not only personally, but professionally.

There is a song called: “If I Can Help Somebody.” Part of the lyrics are: “If I can help somebody, as I pass along, If I can cheer somebody, with a word or song, If I can show somebody, how they’re travelling wrong, Then my living shall not be in vain. . . If I can help somebody, as I pass along,Then my living shall not be in vain.”

This is how I believe that Thomas Francis Clark was taught from the cradle and he did so until his grave. We’ll miss you, Tom.

C.M. & K.M.