Obituary of John Nicholas Clarke

John Nicholas Clarke, 92, of the Finney Road, Keeseville, died Friday, March 3, 2023 at his home under the loving care of his family and High Peaks Hospice. John was born in Bloomingdale, October 12, 1930. His family moved around a lot while he was growing up. He graduated from Plattsburgh High School, but finally settled in Keeseville. He attended College at Cornell University, and then he joined the Army during the Korean War and served from 1952 until his honorable discharge in 1954. John was well known by many people. Many of the people who knew him, remembered him as their 6th grade teacher or Elementary School Principal as he taught 6th grade in the schoolhouse which is now the AVCS offices in Clintonville. He went on to become the Keeseville Elementary School Principal when the school was first built. He retired in 1985 and drove school bus for a few years and also bartended at the North Country Club. He always had a smile and a great outlook on life. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and golf. He was still hunting and riding his 4-wheeler right up until this past fall. John and his wife Ethel got married when they both were 70 and enjoyed traveling and spending winters in Florida until about 10 years ago. He was a member of the Keeseville Elks Lodge #2072, he served on different committees and boards for the Town of Chesterfield, Anderson Falls Heritage Museum, and Friends of the North Country. He passed away at home where he wanted to be, and was able to watch the deer and other wildlife out in the fields from his chair. He is survived by his wife, Ethel T. Clarke; son, Mark R. Clarke and his wife, Sarah Lieberthal Clarke of Keeseville; grandson, Michael J. Clarke and his wife, Kristy Reil Clarke of Beekmantown; nieces, Lisa Schroeder Bevis of Saratoga and Sarasota, Florida and Maureen Shay Morrow (Wayne); step-daughter, Kathy Johnson Baer (Rick) and her sons, Ricky and Cole, all of Keeseville; and a niece and nephew, Marina and Seamus Collins of Burlington, VT. He was predeceased by his sister, Jeanette Clarke Schroeder; and niece, Amber Shay Collins (Peter). Donations in his memory may be made to High Peaks Hospice. There will be no public calling hours or funeral. A graveside service will be held later in the year in the Evergreen Cemetery in Keeseville. Arrangements are in the care of the Hamilton Funeral Home, 124 Clinton Street, Keeseville, 834-7667.