Stuart Dennis Clark

On January 2, 2022, Stuart 'Dennis' Clark passed peacefully with his children by his side. On January 11, 1945, Stuart Dennis Clark, Jr. was born in New London, CT, to his parents Stuart and Constance Clark. He graduated from Norwich Free Academy in Norwich, CT in 1963, and that is where he met his 'Hon', who would become his wife and business partner, Gail Clark. Stuart and Gail wed in Stonington, CT, on January 26, 1963.

In 1967, Gail, Stuart and their daughter, Tammy, moved to South Royalton, VT, and created a special place on 34-acres full of memories for many people over the years on Roberts Road and where he resided until his recent passing. Stuart has now been reunited with Gail, whom he lost in 2009, and they are enjoying their next chapter together, which surely will be a page turner.

Depending on who you talk to about this man, known equally as Stuart or Dennis, they certainly would say he was extremely generous, hardworking and lived his life to the fullest. Establishing SD Clark Electric in the late 60's, he became one of the largest private employers in the Upper Valley by the early 80's, and his crew was easily identifiable by the 'When in the Dark, Call Clark' vehicles spotted throughout Vermont and New Hampshire for over 25 years. For the past 30 years he operated Mid-Vermont Electric, concentrating on commercial and residential projects a little closer to home. And, there is no denying he worked tirelessly to provide employment and livelihoods for 100s of electricians, throughout VT and NH over the course of his 50 year career of running his contracting businesses, and he never stopped loving to 'pull wire'.

The Connecticut Cowboy revered horses, even though he did not last 8 seconds in a bareback rodeo while in high school, and they taught him to take a challenge head on. It was his passion for the West that led him to take many family driving vacations across the continental U.S. hitting all lower 48 on several occasions, giving his family a unique gift and memories that are well documented on dozens of carousels of slides. If there was a national monument or historical site along the way, he was sure to have it added to the TripTik, which to this day make for a great slideshow. In addition to traveling across country by car, he also enjoyed flying planes, which he learned in his 40s and followed-up by owning his own Cessna. Mostly he flew locally, but was known to fly down to Atlantic City, to cure Gail's itch for the one-armed bandit.

And, it was not just the West that he valued, he LOVED Vermont! Stuart grew-up going to VT as a kid with his parents and siblings, camping throughout the state until they built a family camp in Plymouth, VT. Upon his and Gail's move to VT, he gave up skis for snowmobiles, and never looked back. He enjoyed riding with his family and friends for over 40 years. Additionally, he enjoyed deer hunting with the boys of Prior Dam Camp, and he was known for the energy he brought annually in November to Stockbridge, VT. Although not formally documented, Stuart could easily be a member of the 251 Club of Vermont given his affinity of driving the road less traveled. Golf became a great pastime for Stuart, which he enjoyed many rounds of across the U.S., and he hosted an annual golf tournament for 10 years in Gail's memory to support VNA VT/NH. But, when he would take some time to rest at home, he always had a newspaper in hand, suspense novel or a Western by his side, and would always ask 'read any good books lately?'

Stuart is survived by his daughter, Tammy Furman and her husband Richard of Hartford, VT; his sons, Stuart Clark III, aka Shane, and his wife, Sarah of Northeast Harbor, ME and Travis Clark and his wife Jessica of Evergreen, CO; his sisters, Pam Clark of Simpsonville, SC, Gail Fontaine of South Royalton, VT, Patricia 'Trish' Pierson of South Royalton, VT and his brother, Jeff 'Buck' Clark of Strafford, VT, and his grandchildren, Dennis Furman, Mason Clark and Stuart Clark IV aka 'Quattro'; and many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

At Stuart's request, there will be no services at this time; rather there will be a celebration of his life in June of 2022, and a golf tournament (one last time).

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association Vermont Chapter, P.O. Box 61420, Staten Island, NY 10306 or www.apdaparkinson.org .