Dick Clarke, at the age of 90 passed peacefully on January 9, 2016 in the comfort of his home.  Born June 5, 1925, in Vancouver, British Columbia to Richard Clarke, Sr. and his wife, Olive (Foley).  Dick grew up in West Point Grey, Vancouver with his nine siblings Elaine, Alvin, Alf, Wilbur, Len, Olive, Bill, Joe, and Ella Jane.  He attended St. Patrick’s Elementary School for Grade One, and then on to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and Vancouver College.  After service in the Royal Canadian Navy during WW II as an Able Seaman on a Corvette in the North Atlantic, Dick soon married the love of his life Beryl (O’Hagan) in February 1949. Together they had ten children: Richard, Jim (Kathy), Paul (Colleen), Gerard (Gwen), Peter, Patrick (Christine), John (Beth), Ellen (Luke) Frank (Colleen), Andy (Kim) and twenty-three grandchildren: Christiaan, Nathaniel, Katie, Chris (Karen) Anna, Anthony, Scott, Kelly, Mitch, Abigail, Elaine, Hannah, Stuart, Jack, Leo, Peter, Will, Jake, Sam, Jessica, Justin, Nathaniel, and Emily.

Dick’s dedication to his faith and unconditional love to his wife and family were the source of his greatest pride and personal happiness.  This love combined with an unwavering faith in God created within him a life-long steady moral compass to seek and know the goodness in all people.  His deep devotion to his Catholic faith was a shared strength he and Beryl treasured in their sixty-seven years together.  A man of few words, Dick led by example.   His greatest contribution to his family has always been his strong modeling of what it truly means to be a loving husband, father, and grandfather deeply rooted in faith.


In 1947, he started his business career by joining his father in the family business Morton Clarke Co. Ltd. with brothers Alvin and Len.   In 1960, he became President, and under his leadership and vision with brother Len, the business grew to a prominent position.  They led the acquisition of more than eight businesses and grew Morton Clarke to be one of the major wholesale distribution companies in Western Canada. Dick was a proud Rotarian, and in 1984, he also became a founding director and chairman of the Vancouver Island Brewing Company until 2005.  He served on many industry committees and boards, and in 2012 received the NACDA Robert Beaudry Lifetime Achievement Award.  Dick’s remarkable inner strength and interpersonal skills navigated him to great success in business, and he always remained the classic gentleman.

Special thanks to the staff at Augustine House in Ladner, BC, Dr. Richard James and all the nurses and caregivers who showed their love and care in his final months.  Dad, we will love and miss you forever.

Mass and Vigil Prayers for Dick will be held on Thursday, January 14th, 2016, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 2465 Crown Street, Vancouver, BC, V6R 3V9 at 7 pm., and the Funeral Mass of Celebration will follow on Friday morning, January 15th, 2016, at 11 am followed by interment at Mountain View Cemetery, 5455 Fraser Street, Vancouver at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations if any, would be greatly appreciated to the British Columbia Schizophrenia Society, #1100 – 1200 West 73rd Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V6P 6G5. Condolences can be left for the family online at www.kearneyfs.com.