Beverly……


Donald J. "Don" Clarke, age 73, husband of Sheila (Whelton) Clarke, died peacefully in the Kaplan Family Hospice House Monday afternoon, August 23, 2010 surrounded by his family. On October 15, 2010 he and his wife would have celebrated 50 years of marriage.


Raised in North Salem, he grew up working with his father in the J.C. Oil Company as well as the Metropolitan Ice Company while attending Salem Schools. Don graduated from Salem High School in the Class of 1954, attended Bentley University and had served in the Massachusetts National Guard.

Through his local contacts and experiences, Mr. Clarke developed many friendships and a unique perspective on Salem. This intimate local knowledge later created the foundation of his passionate and active interest in Salem politics. Most recently he was involved in the initiative in reviewing Salem's Charter. His curious nature led him to a voracious reading of periodicals.


In 1969 he purchased Waters and Brown Hardware Store with his brother, Edward Clarke, a business which continues to be operated by the family as Waters and Brown Paint and Decorating Center in Salem and Beverly. In 1971 he and his brother expanded their business interest with Rudolph Eon to form Clarke Brothers Inc., an oil heating company. Very active in the Salem business community he also invested and managed residential and commercial properties on the North Shore.


Dedicated to his faith, he was a 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Veragua Council 76 in Salem, had served as the Chairman of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Mary's Church in Beverly, and had been a member of the Immaculate Conception Church Finance Committee. He was a member and Paul Harris Fellow of the Salem Rotary Club, a Director of the North Shore Home Heat Council, active with Salem Heritage Days, and a Trustee of both the House of Seven Gables and the Salem Public Library. Don had also been a Corporator and Director of the Salem 5 and was a member of The Thirteen. He enjoyed being around the water and had been a member of the Boston Yacht Club for more than 20 years.


He had enjoyed travel and 28 years ago began vacationing in Marco Island, Florida with his family and later their families. His greatest interest in life was his family. Don was close to his children and was always there to support his grandchildren's events. He enjoyed the company of his many friends.


In addition to his wife Sheila, he is survived by three children Timothy F. and his wife Alice Clarke and their children Samuel and Henry of Salem; Shaun M. and his wife Sydney Clarke and their children Maxwell and Riley of South Hamilton and Maura A. and her husband Frank Murphy and their children Kaela, F.J. and Catherine of Salem; a brother Edward J. and his wife Karen Clarke of Tuscon, AZ, a sister Cynthia Cashman of Charlotte, NC and several nieces and nephews.


His family is very appreciative of the excellent care and concern that Don received through out his illness. In observance of Mr. Clarke's funeral Waters & Brown Stores will be closed on Saturday.


His funeral will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 10:00 A.M in St Thomas the Apostle Church, 1 Margin St., Peabody, MA 01960. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be Friday from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 PM. in the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St (cor of North St) Salem. Interment will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flower memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923 or to the North Shore Medical Center, Development Office, 81 Highland Ave., Salem, MA 01970. For online guest book or additional information, please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.