(March 4, 1955 – July 12, 2022)
Christopher Jackson Clark was born in Calgary, Alberta on March 4, 1955 to Jack and Patricia (Boyer) Clark. Shortly after Chris’s birth, the family moved back to Toronto, where Chris grew up in the Rosedale Heights neighbourhood. After high school, Chris struck out for the west, bouncing around for a while before returning to Ontario, where he finally applied by mail for a reporting job at The Portage La Prairie Daily Graphic. Much to his surprise, they hired him, and a career in journalism was launched. His time there provided him with a hands-on education in “newspapering”, where he covered everything from sports to courts – and honed his innate skill as a gifted photographer.
Returning to Ontario, he took a job at The Ingersoll Times, got married and started family life, while also completing the broadcast journalism program at Fanshawe College. These new skills led him to a job at the University of Guelph radio station CFRU where he wrote, produced, and reported the news.
In 1986, he was lured to a new newspaper start-up, The Royal Tribune. Starting as a sports reporter under the tutelage of his wise publisher Jim Merriam, he was soon promoted to Editor. Later, the word “Royal” was dropped from the masthead, and The Guelph Tribune became a serious rival for the long-established daily The Guelph Mercury. Chris relished the challenge of scooping the competition; he was always focused on the local perspective, and particularly loved mentoring new “cubby reporters” with his blend of tough love and humour. He took special pride in those who went on to careers at The Toronto Star, CBC TV/ radio, The Hamilton Spectator, and many more.
Chris had a deep passion for his community, local politics and city heritage, encapsulated by his weekly column “Guelph Matters”. In 2012, he was awarded the inaugural Architectural Conservancy of Ontario’s Media Award for his outstanding work highlighting Guelph’s beautiful heritage buildings through his ongoing feature, “Then and Now”.
In retirement, Chris still devoured several newspapers a day, did the daily NYT crosswords, volunteered for several community organisations, and enjoyed travelling near and far to visit his children and stepchildren. Ever the reporter, Chris wanted to connect with, and understand, those around him, both familiar and new. In summer, he was particularly happy by the pool, or at the Boyer/Devlin family cottage in Kincardine, always ready for a conversation and laugh. He was exceedingly proud of his blended family and took great joy in his grandchildren Marilla (Clark-Stolp) and Colby (Clark). He was delighted to learn recently that two more grandchildren (babies Clark and Clark-Kiely) would join the gang in January 2023.
Predeceased by his parents, and his brother Mike Clark, Chris is survived by his beloved children: Marianne (Sean Stolp), Jeremy (Erin Wendland), Madeline (Ryan Kiely), Caroline Olechowski (Alex Cole), Alison Olechowski (Nicolas Papernot), and Lilah Olechowski. He will be forever missed by his loving partner of 27 years, Kate Revington, and remembered by former wife Margaret Boyd and her family. His sisters Melinda Clark (Warren Thomson) and Jennifer Clark (Cam Hubbs), and brother-in-law Bill Revington (Gwen) loved him dearly, as did his nieces and nephews Robin, Elizabeth, Robert, and Duncan, and the extended Boyer/ Devlin/ Revington families.
The family wishes to thank the 911 dispatcher, and the Guelph EMTs and police for their assistance. Special gratitude to P. Brian Skerrett, Jon Wells, Tony Saxon, Peter Winkler, and Richard Vivian for the tribute to Chris in Guelph Today: https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/longtime-local-journalist-chris-clark-loved-his-city-5577984
Arrangements through WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph, where there will be a public visitation on Monday July 25, 2022 from 2 – 5 pm (masks required). A private family service and interment will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations would be gratefully accepted for the following charities: West Willow Village Neighbourhood Group (via Canada Helps), The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, Doctors Without Borders, Campfire Circle (formerly Camp Ooch), or any other cause you think Chris would appreciate.
“My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends—
It gives a lovely light!”
― Edna St. Vincent Millay