December 7, 1926 –March 14, 2022
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ted Clarke on March 14, 2022, at age 95. Cherished husband to Alison for 68 years of marriage. Beloved father to Anthony (Lee Anne) and Jeremy (Mary) Clarke and Sara Georgas. Loving “Mamoo” to grandchildren Michael (Kailey), Andrew (Nicki) & Chelsea (Scott), and great-grandchildren Evan, Logan, Alyvia, Harvey, Oliver & Spencer. Loving “Baba” to grandchildren Chris (Jen) & Beth (Ryan), great-grandchildren Jake, Hailey, & Grace. Loving “Papa” to grandchildren Elliott and Hannah. Predeceased by his sisters Mary and Dorothy, and his son-in-law Jim Georgas. Ted will be sorely missed by all his extended family and friends, particularly his friend of 90 years, Red Warren.
Ted was born and raised in Athens, Greece, and he was schooled both there and in London, England. He was a gifted pianist, having learned to play at age 3 and winning competitions at 4. When back in Athens at the onset of WWII, Ted accompanied his family’s evacuation to India. He joined the British Army at 18 and served with the Black Watch. Speaking the language, Ted was stationed to Greece to help “police” the civil unrest that ensued. Following his service, Ted returned to England where he met the love of his life, Alison. They married in 1953 and he then studied to become a design engineer. He worked in England, followed by two years in Greece, before immigrating to Canada in 1967. With Alison, their three children, and pet dog and cat, they were graciously taken in by the Warren family living in Toronto. Moving to Burlington later that year, Ted worked for the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited at Sheridan Park to help design elements of the reactors at Douglas Point, Pickering and Bruce power stations. Ted and Alison retired to Guelph in 1992 to be close to family. They became devoted members of St. George’s Anglican Church, and in 2009 Ted received the Order of Niagara in recognition of his service to the church and Diocese.
Together with his two sons, Ted built the family cottage on a quiet lake outside of Dorset, Ontario, and spent every opportunity over the summers to maintain and enhance it. He also enjoyed playing tennis and squash, downhill skiing and the odd water ski. Upon retirement, he began a new career as a carpenter building decks, finishing basements, and then building furniture. Later in life, Ted took up his former enjoyment of art, and working with both acrylic and watercolors, he created works of art for his family members. As a major fundraiser for the replacement of St. George’s roof, Ted painted an image of the church on over 150 old roof slates. Also, at age 70 he realized a life-long dream as he learned to fly; he flew his last flight at 90.
Ted loved to travel with Alison to visit friends and relatives in England and Greece, and in later years, to visit Jeremy’s and Sara’s families as they moved with their jobs around the world, including Argentina, Bali, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, The Philippines, and Vietnam. His last trip was to join Anthony and Lee Anne on a holiday to the Greek Islands in 2018. Of all the trips though, his most favorite was taking his entire extended family of 21 (at that time) to Curacao in 2015, simply to celebrate the richness of shared love.
With Ted and Alison’s move to Guelph, he became scorekeeper for his grandson’s T-ball and baseball games, spectator at hockey games and proud audience member at his granddaughters’ dance recitals. Ted also maintained the swimming pool at their Lyon Avenue home for all of his family and the neighborhood children, some of whom learned to swim there.
As per Ted’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A visitation with his family will be held at 10 am on Wednesday, March 23 at St. George’s Anglican Church, 99 Woolwich St, Guelph, followed by a funeral service at 11 am. Regrettably, the Public Health restrictions still in place for the region preclude the opportunity for a reception after the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Ted’s favorite charity, Operation Smile Canada, would be greatly appreciated by the family. Donations and condolences can be left at the church or online at www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com.