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Obituaries

Monday, July 19, 2010

Michael “Mike” Clark, 67

Michael Clark: longtime Westporter. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
Michael “Mike” Clark, 67, of Westport passed away peacefully at home in the company of his family, Tuesday, July 13.

Mike led a truly incredible life and he was an incredible man-wonderful husband, loving father, doting grandfather, great friend and a true polymath. He was a sailor (a licensed captain actually), a skier, a pilot, Vietnam veteran, successful business man, master chef, outdoorsman, birdwatcher, photographer, woodworker, voracious reader, world traveler, great dancer, speaker of Chinese, avid Yankee fan and interested in everything.

His seeking of knowledge was not superficial; he truly was interested in the details behind how things operated. His sharp wit and sense of humor were always present. He will be missed and he is loved.

Mike worked for IBM for over 20 years and opened IBM China in the early 80s, an experience that he was especially grateful for and proud of.  After IBM he had many successful years with Gemini Consulting before retiring in the late 90s.

Mike was born in Loma Linda, Calif., and moved to Connecticut in the early 80s and he loved both coasts – the mountains and redwoods of California and sailing in Long Island Sound in Connecticut.  Mike was on the advisory board for Outward Bound for many years and was also a member of the Cedar Point Yacht Club in Westport since 1997.

Survivors in addition to his wife, Sharon (Rodgers) Clark of Westport include two sons, Larry W. Clark and his wife Laura and their two children Sarah and Jackson of Austin, Texas, and Allen M. Clark and his wife Daniela of Westport; one brother, Jerry Clark of Stevenson Ranch, Calif, one sister, Toni Forno of San Jose, Calif., his former wife Shirley Clark of New York, N.Y., and many nieces and nephews.

Private memorial services were held in Southport with full military honors and in Saratoga, Calif.

The Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Road East, assisted the family with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mike may be made to Mid-Fairfield Hospice, P.O. Box 489, Wilton, CT 06897, or the National Audubon Society, 225 Varick St.,, 7th Floor, Dept. W, New York, NY 10014, or Outward Bound, P.O. Box 62161, Baltimore, MD 21264-2161

Comments:     Comment Policy

This obituary omits that Mike was the Patriarch of his family, admired and respected by many, many more than could possibly be mentioned, and, unfortunately to people who did not know Mike, gives no sense of the enduring strength and inspiration derived from his acquaintance.  Rest in Peace, Mike and comfort to and inspiration for all those you have left behind…

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