DOB/DOD: March 17, 1931 (Norwalk, CT) – May 3, 2026 (Exton, PA); 85 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Eileen Altman (1934-2014) on September 25, 1954, in Norwalk, Connecticut.
CHILDREN: Three sons, David (1959-), Christopher J. (1960-), and Timothy P. (1965-). Three daughters, Patricia (1959-), Maureen Clark Lipp (1965-), and Jeannie Clark Miller (1967-).
LOCAL ADDRESS: 15 Wilton Avenue and 19 Plattsville Avenue, Norwalk
ENLISTMENT: March 1950
SERVICE NUMBER: 7193937
SHIP ASSIGNED TO: USS McDermut (DD-677)
FAMILY: Born to John E. (1898-1983) and Lottie Stackowski Clark (1999-1996). Lottie Clark was born in Poland. Three sisters, Catherine M. Clark Margas (1923-2014), Elizabeth (1925-?), and Florence Clark Splittorff (1926-2013).
CIRCUMSTANCES: It is unknown when or where John Clark was wounded in action. More research is needed.
OTHER: Worked for O’Brien Suburban Press after serving. He eventually moved to Bristol, Connecticut, where he raised his family with his wife, Eileen.
Norwalk High School Class of ‘49. Photos provided by Ramona Garcia, Reference Librarian, Norwalk Public Library.
From The Norwalk Hour May 23, 1953
TWO KOREA VETERANS ON SUNDAY PROGRAM
John Clark of 15 Wilton Avenue, a Navy veteran with two missions in Korea, will be on the Connecticut Forum of the Air program from 6 to 6:45 p.m., Sunday. The program, to be broadcast from Lyons Pier Restaurant over Station WNLK, will be a special one. Clark has received the Purple Heart for wounds received in action. Another Korean veteran, Eugene Kane, who holds the Purple Heart and a Silver Star Medal for heroism in action, will also be heard. Clergymen, Veterans organization leaders, recruiting officers, and city officials, including Council President W. Earle DeMuth and Police Chief Max Orlins will participate. Part of the broadcast will be heard from the boat of Addison E. Austin, a local Chevrolet dealer, who will be host to participating servicemen.
From The Norwalk Hour November 9, 1953
BACK TO THE EAST
FAR EAST (FHTNC) – Four ships of Destroyer Squadron 155 have returned to Far Eastern waters for a seven-month tour of duty. John P. Clark, Damage Controlman Third Class, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Clark of 15 Wilton Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut, is aboard the USS McDermut.
From The Norwalk Hour March 2, 1954
Damage Controlman Third Class John P. Clark, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Clark of 15 Wilton Avenue, was recently discharged from the U.S. Navy at Treasure Island, San Francisco, California, and arrived home on Friday. Mr. Clark (shown above) was serving aboard the destroyer USS McDermut in the Far East prior to his discharge. Mr. Clark enlisted in the Navy in March of 1950. He served three duty tours in the Far East.
From jamesterryfuneralhome.com
John Patrick “Pat” Clark, 95, of Exton, PA passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at his home, surrounded by family.
Born in Greenwich, CT on March 17, 1931, he was the son of the late John E. and Lottie C. Clark. After completing high school, Pat enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a Damage Controlman aboard USS McDermut (DD 677) during the Korean War. While conducting operations off the coast of North Korea he was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart for his injuries.
After his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1954, he settled in Norwalk, CT where he married his beloved wife Eileen and was an employee at O’Brien Press. In 1959 he and Eileen moved to their longtime home on Cherry Lane in Bethel, CT, where they raised six children and enjoyed 60 wonderful years of marriage before Eileen’s death in 2014. Pat spent 29 years at the Bethel Division of Vanderbilt Chemical where he was instrumental in organizing the first union shop at the company, helping to improve workplace safety and compensation for his coworkers. His many years in Bethel were highlighted by his love for sports, family picnics and holiday gatherings, and legendary annual St. Patrick’s Day/birthday parties that often went into the wee hours.
Pat moved to Exton, PA in 2016 to be under the care of his daughter Patricia, and in his later years enjoyed receiving cards, phone calls, and visits from his vast network of family and friends.
Pat is survived by five children: Christopher Clark (Melissa) of Bethel, CT, David Clark (Susan) of Aiken, SC, Patricia Clark of Exton, PA, Maureen Lipp of Ansonia, CT, and Jeannie Miller (Ben) of Mobile, AL; as well as three grandchildren: Eamonn Clark, Spencer Lipp (Kylee) and Shannon Lipp; and by two great-granddaughters: Arianna and Zariyah Robinson.
In addition to his wife and parents, Pat was preceded in death by three sisters and a son, Timothy Clark.
Services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at St. Mary Church, 26 Dodgingtown Rd, Bethel, CT.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Bethel Brotherhood in Action, a local charity that Pat and Eileen supported for many years, at www.bethelbrotherhoodinaction.org or via mail at P.O. Box 582, Bethel, CT 06801.
END
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