John “Buddy” Clarke, 84, of Wall, NJ, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 13, 2019, at his home with his family by his side.
Buddy was born and raised in the Bronx. He married Peggy Barry and raised five children. They lived in the Bronx, Sayreville, NJ, and Wall, NJ. Buddy loved traveling with his beautiful bride, sports of any kind but especially anything played by his children, grandchildren and the children of anyone he knew, running marathons, the Spring Lake boardwalk, and winters in Jupiter, FL.
Buddy graduated from Power Memorial High School in Manhattan and served in the Korean War. Buddy was a Special Agent in the Criminal Investigation Division of the US Department of the Treasury, IRS, and upon retiring in 1989, continued his criminal investigation career at the NYC School Construction Authority and the Port Authority of NY/NJ. Buddy was a man of strong Catholic faith, and a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Buddy was predeceased by his wife, Margaret “Peggy” Clarke, his parents, John and Catherine Clarke, his grandson, James John Clarke, and his sisters, Ann and Marcelia. He is survived by his children and their spouses, Sean and Mary Clarke of Brick, NJ, Eileen Clarke of New York, NY, Kieran and Edie Clarke of Darien, CT, Kate Clarke of Greenwich, CT, and Denis and Jennifer Clarke of Maplewood, NJ. Buddy is survived by his grandchildren, Sean Clarke, Jr., and his wife Kristen, Michael and Michelle Ressalei, and Emily, Jack, Andrew, Tyler, Eleanor and Cecelia Clarke. Buddy is also survived by his twin sister, Katherine MacGregor of Wall, NJ, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Buddy was forever generous and loved celebrating life’s big and little moments. Buddy coached little league baseball and pop warner football teams. He helped, led and advocated for others on recreational and community boards, including the Sayreville Bomber Touchdown Football Club (founder and president), the Frog Hollow Swim & Tennis Club, his townhouse community, Allaire Manor, and most recently at Sunnyside Manor. He was passionately opinionated and let you know it. Buddy loved telling stories, laughing and making you laugh.
Visitation will take place at O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy. 35, at New Bedford Rd., Wall, on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Catharine’s Church, Spring Lake, on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, at 10:30 am, followed by entombment at St. Catharine’s Cemetery, Wall. Donations may be made in Buddy’s memory to Hope For The Warriors® https://www.hopeforthewarriors.org/.