Coping with Grief
We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. Enter your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Messages run for up to one year and you can stop at any time. Your email will not be used for any other purpose.
John Harold Clark passed away peacefully on June 25, 2025, at the age of 70 after a lengthy illness.
John was born February 12, 1955, in Bedford, NY to John W. & Barbara Clark. He is survived by his loving wife Susan of 45 years, and his three daughters, Victoria Munson & her husband Chuck, Kelly Poti & her husband Joe, and Casey Simon & her husband Matt. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Chuckie, Tommy, and Mckenzie Munson, Nick and Olivia Poti, and Oliver Simon.
John lived in Bedford for most of his childhood, and spent a few years in Spencer, NY, before returning to Bedford to graduate from Fox Lane High School. He began working right away for Powell Septic and then began working for himself as John H Clark Landscaping. By 1988, he joined the Town of Bedford Highway Department, and he continued there until his retirement in 2017. He spent many town clean up days sitting at the gate greeting everyone; and many years of snowstorms were spent sitting in his loader filling trucks. In 2000, he began his own business of Gentleman Johnny Portables. Along with Susan, they served all of Westchester and the surrounding areas. He continued until they eventually moved to Odessa, NY to enjoy retirement.
While in Bedford, he spent a large portion of his days serving as a volunteer firefighter with the Bedford Fire Department. He joined the department in 1977 and rose through the ranks to become Chief from 1989-1993, and again in 1999-2000. John was elected to the Bedford Village Fire District to serve as commissioner from 2007-2012. In addition to his work with the department, he also volunteered his time with the Westchester County Parade Judges. Through all of his years of working with the department, his fondest memories were of time spent with the kitchen committee, and helping his daughters Vicki and Casey, join and train as members of the department themselves.
John enjoyed classic cars, going to NASCAR races with friends, and cooking. Whether it was at the firehouse for a monthly meeting, or at home for Christmas breakfast; he enjoyed trying out new recipes or constantly recreating his favorites. He most enjoyed time with his grandchildren. After moving to Lakeville, MA in the last couple of years, he spent his time watching baseball games and talking about toy cars.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. A graveside service to be held at Union Cemetery in Bedford, NY on July 1, at 10:45am. Reception to follow at Bedford Fire Department. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John H. Clark, please visit our floral store.
Tunnel to Towers Foundation
2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island NY 10306
Tel: 1-718-987-1931
Web: http://www.t2t.org