Obituary of John Alexander Johnny Clark

John (Johnny) Clark, beloved husband, father and grandfather, of Calgary (formerly of Halifax, Nova Scotia) passed away with family at his side in Foothills Hospital on November 27, 2007 at the age of 81 years. Johnny will always be loved and remembered by his wife of fifty-two years, Irene Louise (Hunter); his daughter and son-in-law, Holly Clark and Jon Handforth; his grandchildren Chris and MacKenzie Handforth, all of Calgary and friends and family throughout Nova Scotia and Calgary. He is also survived by his sister Dorothy Logan and brother Murray Clark (Dorothy Boehk-Clark), of Westville, N.S. and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews. Johnny was predeceased by his parents William and Roxena Clark, his brother Bill, who was killed in action while serving with the West Nova Scotia Regiment during World War II, his brother-in-law Willard Logan and his sister-in-law Jean Clark. A native son of Westville, Pictou County, Johnny served in the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve in WW II. Shortly after he returned from service, he became active in baseball. A member of the championship-winning 1946 Truro Bearcats, he played a number of years in the Halifax & Dartmouth (H & D) Baseball League, as well as a year in Saint John, New Brunswick and Sherbrooke, Quebec. Well known in sports circles as the “Westville Flash,” Johnny dazzled the fans with his base-stealing prowess. He was inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame in 1981 and was later inducted into the Pictou County Sports Hall of Fame. Johnny had a 43-year career with the Halifax Shipyards, where he made many life-long friends. Following his retirement, he and Irene moved to Calgary in 1991 to be close to their daughter and grandchildren. While living in Calgary, Johnny worked with the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires and was stationed at Curry Barracks until 1995. A member of the Western Star Masonic Lodge in Westville, Johnny received his 50-year jewel in the Masonic Order in 2005. Johnny will be remembered as a man of honour and dignity, with a winning smile, a heart of gold, and a fierce love of family. He will be sorely missed. A private family service will be held in Calgary on Sunday, December 2. A celebration of his life will be shared with family and friends in Westville, N.S. in the summer of 2008. A graveside service will be held at that time at Heatherdale Memorial Gardens in Sylvester. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca, to the Alberta Lung Association, P.O. Box 4500, Station South, Edmonton, AB, T6E 6K2, Toll Free: 1-888-566-LUNG (5864) or to the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame, Suite 446, 1800 Argyle Street, Halifax , NS. B3J 3N8. The family thanks Dr. Nancy Love for sixteen years of caring and dedication. Also thank you to Dr. Sean Workun, the nursing staff of Units 32 and 112 at Foothills Medical Centre and Alberta Home Care support. In living memory of John Alexander, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.