Published January 4, 2019
Harold D. Clark, Jr. passed from this earth on December 25, 2018. He left us as he lived—kindly, gently, and full of love. He will remain in our hearts forever. We can honor him by seeking to live up to his standards: deep love for family and friends, perennial interest in and respect for people of all types, pleasure in museums and music and the power of art, constant curiosity and intellect, and a vibrant sense of fun.
Harry was born in Malden, the son of Harold and Rita Clark. After his early years in Malden and Melrose, he moved with his family to Seattle, Washington, where he finished his education and enlisted in the Air Force. After serving in France, Harry (then a.k.a. Skip) moved back to Massachusetts, where he married Linda and made a loving family in Melrose. He met his second wife Erica Hirshler at Wellesley College, where he worked for 33 years in the Science Center. Erica and Harry shared 39 years of happiness together, but it wasn’t long enough.
Harry loved to learn, he read constantly, loved poetry, enjoyed trying to play golf, and was always keen to try a new restaurant. He looked forward to traveling to new places and to special favorites, particularly Paris, the Big Island of Hawaii, and Ogunquit. He loved to walk along the Boston waterfront, and was delighted to move into the city after more than 30 years of shoveling in Melrose. Harry was proud of his wife’s career at the Museum of Fine Arts; he was her champion, her editor, her teacher, her companion in all things, her greatest love.
In addition to his wife, Harry leaves his beloved children Laurie (Clark) Murray and Robert Murray, Debra (Clark) Packard and Jeff Packard, and Scott Clark and Jennifer Bradley, and his grandchildren Shawn Packard, Alyssa (Packard) Wachira, Derek Packard, Kato Murray, and Devin (Murray) Ribecca, along with their spouses and partners. He also leaves his brother Doug Clark, sister Wendy Magner, former wife Linda Ahern, and closest friends John Kroll and Sydna Anderson.
A celebration of Harry’s life will be held at a future date; donations in his memory may be made to the Wellesley Students’ Aid Society, Schneider Center Suite 117, 106 Central St., Wellesley, MA, 02481-8203 or to the Friends of the Melrose Public Library, 69 W. Emerson St., Melrose, MA, 02176. For online tribute, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com
