BRISTOL ---- John Quinn Clark II, died on Monday, January 8, 2024, at his home on Newfound Lake in Bristol, NH. He was surrounded by his family until his final breath.
Born in 1942 to Dr. John Q. Clark and Eleanor (O’Connor) Clark, RN, he was raised in Haverhill, MA and graduated from Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, MA. Following his graduation from Providence College in 1964 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he attained the rank of Captain.
His first USAF assignment took him to Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana where, as part of the Strategic Air Command, he served as a Minuteman Missile Launch Control Officer. Due to his success as a Missile Combat Crew member, he was recruited to train candidates for that role at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. While there, he earned a Master’s Degree at the University of Southern California. Upon his discharge, the family moved back to their home state of Massachusetts.
John was a long-time employee of Digital Equipment Corporation and moved his family from Massachusetts to New Hampshire when Digital established their headquarters in Merrimack, NH. After his retirement he was a dedicated member of the Merrimack YMCA where he was a tennis instructor for many years.
He leaves his wife of 57 years, Marylyn (Devan) Clark, children Maureen Clark of Newburyport, MA, Ryan Clark of Wayne, PA, Kerry Palihnich and her husband Nick of Westborough, MA and grandchildren Ethan Charles Quinn Clark, Alyssa Grace Quinn Clark, Nicholas Palihnich IV, Josita Palihnich and Rylyn Quinn O’Connor Clark.
If John wished for a perfect summer day, it would begin the night before, when he would bid goodnight to the family by declaring “We ski at dawn.” A wind~free morning would bring him to his boat when the lake would be like glass, no other boats disrupting the calm water, making for fast and smooth slalom skiing. Next on his agenda would be tennis or a run, and possibly a 17-mile bike around the lake just for fun. Though the morning could be tiring, he was never one to nap for fear of missing something, so the afternoon might include roller blading/street hockey or a mountain bike ride through the woods where he constructed obstacles and jumps to challenge himself. Sitting on his deck to enjoy a well-deserved Old Milwaukee Light as the sun set over Newfound Lake would be a fitting end to the day.
In winter, being first in the lift line to ski on freshly groomed corduroy-like snow would be essential, then perhaps some skating to prepare for the Pond Hockey Classic on Lake Winnipesaukee, in which he was the oldest player ever to compete, his teammates being half his age or younger. And nothing could end the day better than an evening watching a win by his beloved Boston Bruins.
John brought 100% effort and enthusiasm to everything he did. He lived a life of passion and humor and gave those gifts to all who knew him. That he influenced others to do the same will be his legacy. He will be missed every day by the family he loved without measure.
According to his wishes, there will be no services.
Burial will be private.
A celebration of John’s life will take place at a yet to be determined time.
As a gesture of respect, John always affixed a red poppy to his baseball hat, signifying his high regard for his fellow veterans. To honor him, a donation can be made to The Memorial Day Foundation, 33 Orient Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211-2205 or at www. memorialdayfoundation.org. Another choice for donation that would be appreciated is the Massachusetts /New Hampshire chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association which funds research on all types of dementia at https://alz.org/manh
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/Emmons Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com or EmmonsFuneralHome.com.