Patrick Clarke's Obituary
Mr. Patrick (Paddy) Clarke, 71, passed peacefully, Wednesday, December 28, 2016, at Faith Hospice, Trillium Woods, Byron Center, MI., following a long, courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease and esophageal cancer. Pat was born June 30th, 1945, in Muskegon, MI., to Edward and Myrtle (Vernon) Clarke. Pat graduated Muskegon Catholic Central in 1963, Eastern Michigan University, received his MSW from University of Michigan, and earned his law degree from Cooley Law School. He was in the 1st Cavalry, achieving the rank of E-5 and volunteered to go to Vietnam shortly after losing his brother. Patrick truly believed Agent Orange was responsible for his early onset dementia, as well as cancer. Pat was employed by the State of Michigan, first as a social worker, then as an attorney, and later, an administrative law judge. He divided his time practicing law in Ypsilanti and Lansing. Following his dementia diagnosis at age 55, he kept busy working many odd jobs and especially enjoyed being a greeter at Meijer's in Holland, and then in Standale, while residing at Covenant of the Great Lakes, Grand Rapids. Patrick loved golf, travel, and everything U of M, but most of all he enjoyed kibitzing. He was full of the blarney, loved teasing, and telling tall tales. The nuns at Sacred Heart School wore their knees out praying for him. Paddy was our brother, and our friend. We will forever miss him. Pat leaves five siblings: Cathy (John) Mathieu-Hyde, Margie Batka, Edward (Margie) Clarke, Eileen (Bob) O'Brien, and Rose (Doug) Jolman. Preceding him in death were his parents; his brother, Kevin, killed in Vietnam; nephew, Brandon O'Brien; brothers-in-law, Ed Batka and Tom Mathieu; and great nephew, Ronan Malcom-Clarke. He is also survived by 10 nieces and nephews: Kevin and John Mathieu, Michelle Batka, Ryan and Devlin Clarke, Liz and Jeff O'Brien, Marty Wills and Brooke and Erica Jolman; and 11 great nieces and nephews. His best friend, Marie McKendall was his saving grace for so many years. Her young grandson, Alec, learned very early the meaning of friendship, love and loyalty. We are thankful for his friends John and Marcia Murphy, Helen Klein, Paul Frank, Stan Fracker, Amber and Robert Garst and Lee Woodsen, all of whom kept his spirits up. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Muskegon Vietnam Veteran's Memorial and the Alzheimer’s Association. A celebration of his life, as well as military honors, will take place 11:00 AM Saturday, July 1, 2017 at the Vietnam War Memorial: Final Approach, located in Hidden Cove Park (corner of Seaway Drive and Grand Haven Rd.). Arrangements were handled by The Sytsema Chapel 737 Apple Ave. 231-726-5210.
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