BERNARD MAX CLARK

Bernard Max Clark, age 80, husband of Betty (LaMonda) Clark, passed away Sunday evening, July 4, 2010, at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington with his family at his side.
He was born in Sheldon on Feb. 22, 1930, the son of the late Lewis T. and Jennie (Tilton) Clark.
Bernard attended Sheldon Elementary School and received his diploma from Enosburg Falls High School as part of the Veterans Diploma Program. He entered the U.S. Army in November of 1951, at Ft. Devens, Mass., and was transferred to Ft. Dix, N.J. for truck driver’s training. He received his honorable discharge in October of 1953. He was a member of the American Legion Post 88 in Sheldon for 46 years and held the office of Sergeant at Arms and other offices with Post 88.
Bernard drove truck for H.P. Hood for 19 years, Ralston Purina in Sheldon Junction for eight years, and Bourdeau Bros. for 19 years. He also hauled gravel part-time for Ivan Charbonneau and transported cars from the car auction for John Chase Auto.
Bernard knew every back road in Franklin County, who grew up on different farms and who the previous owners of the farms were. He really enjoyed meeting people and had the ability to get along with everyone by using his quick wit and sense of humor.
He really enjoyed traveling and spending winters in Florida with many close friends. Most importantly, he was very proud of his children and grandchildren and enjoyed watching them play softball, basketball and hockey.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Betty Clark of Sheldon. Bernard and Betty were married April 16, 1955. He is also survived by his sons, Larry Clark of Avon Park, Fla., and Jeffrey Clark and his fiancé, Peggy Gleason, of Berkshire; his daughters, Janet Carpenter and her husband, Jim, of Fairfield, Joan Lumbra and her husband, Craig, of East Fairfield, and Carol Hodges and her husband, Vince, of Denver, Colo.; 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; his brother, Francis Clark and his friend, Gloria Barillaro, of Brooksville, Fla.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Rayburn and Shirley Donna of Richford, Annette and Clement Dulude of East Hartford, Conn., Geraldine and Eric Cota of Montgomery Center, Lauren and Robert Young of Enosburg Falls, Alma Dulude of East Hartford, Conn., and David and Joyce LaMonda of Bakersfield; and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Bernard was predeceased by a son, Danny Clark; a brother, Harry Clark; a sister, Charlene Donna; step-brothers, Alden Clark and Ernest Robideau; step-sisters, Margaret Clark, Sybil Barnet, Arline Discenza and Irene Laden; father in-law and mother-in-law, Wilfred and Marie (Bergeron) LaMonda; and a brother-in-law, Marcel Dulude.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 8, 2010, at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Missisquoi Street, Enosburg Falls with Rev. Daniel Jordan celebrating the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery in Sheldon Springs.
Visiting hours will be held Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Spears Funeral Home, 96 Dickinson Ave., Enosburg Falls.
For those who wish, contributions in Bernard’s memory may be sent to the Lamoille Area Cancer Network, Attn: Cindy Lowell, P.O. Box 38, Lake Elmore, Vt. 05657.
Private condolences may be sent to Bernard’s family on-line through: www.spearsfuneralhome.com.