Len Clarke passed away peacefully in his home with family at his side in the early morning of Sunday, January 6, 2019.
Len was born in St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, BC to Richard and Olive (Foley) Clarke. He grew up with his nine siblings: Elaine, Alvin, Dick, Alf, Wilbur, Olive, Bill, Joe, and Ella. He attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Vancouver College Catholic schools. Len valued his faith and was a lifelong supporter of the Church and Catholic education.
Len met his future wife Pat through the CYO in Vancouver. They were married in Los Angeles, California in January 1957 and moved to North Vancouver later the same year. There they raised their family of six children. For the next 50 years Len and Pat were active at Holy Trinity Parish and School, where they made many lifelong friends. Their home on Redonda Drive was the setting for many celebrations with family and friends. Skiing at Whistler and summers at Boundary Bay, International Thanksgiving celebrations were magic times shared with loved ones.
Family, faith, loyalty, work ethic and service to others were the hallmarks of every part of Len's life. His successful business career was built on hard work and service. Strong relationships and friendships were fostered. Len was well respected in the wholesale industry and his friendly, warm personality drew people to him.
Len also had an adventurous side. His early explorations of the working world took him into the Cleveland Dam diversion tunnel, out to the rainforests of the west coast of Vancouver Island and overland to Prince Rupert back when the roads weren’t so good. Len and Pat loved to travel and visited many places in North America and Europe and they treasured their spontaneous road trips to distant parts of BC. Len had a great memory for places and a remarkable sense of direction - he loved to talk about the next adventure.
Len is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Pat (Patricia Anne Conlin), his children Len (Kai Sze), Joan (Dan), Betsy (Greg), Kevin (Pammy) and Matt (Tracy) and his siblings, Olive, Bill and Ella. He is predeceased by his beloved son Bob. He is also loved and admired by his 14 grandchildren, 1 great grandson and many nieces and nephews across North America and beyond.
"Well done good and faithful servant" Matthew 25:21
Prayers will be offered on Thursday, January 10th, 2019 at 7:00 pm at Holy Trinity Parish, 2725 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver where the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Friday, January 11th, 2019.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the building fund of St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School in North Vancouver. www.buildsta.ca