Tom Clark, 97, grocer, noted athlete

Thomas Walker Clark of 5 Danbury Road, a lifelong Ridgefielder and grocer who was celebrated for his bowling prowess and fund-raising abilities, died Monday, April 22, at the age of 97.
In his youth, Mr. Clark was active at baseball and basketball, but it was as a bowler that he became almost legendary locally. He started bowling when he was 15, still bowled in his 90s, and until recently was the oldest active bowler in the area.
Tom Clark was born here on July 26, 1904, a son of Irish immigrants John and Eliza Walker Clark. He grew up on the family farm on Wilton Road West, now the Shafer home, and as a teenager went to work at the Davey Brothers’ market in Stamford, part of an old chain of grocery stores. He did so well that he was made manager when he was only 17 — until company executives in New York learned his age and “then I had no job,” he said many years later.
He worked as a carpenter for some years, but in 1932 First National hired him to run its market in Ridgefield. He managed the First National here until 1959 when the chain wanted to transfer him to manage its supermarket in Newtown. Mr. Clark did not want to commute to work, retired from First National and went to work for the old Wayside Market on Danbury Road for 15 years. He also did work on two private estates until he was 85.
During World War II he served as a Civil Defense policeman and had recently presented his badge from that service to Police Chief Richard Ligi.
As a teenager, Mr. Clark began bowling in the two alleys in the basement of the First Congregational Church’s clubhouse, which once stood on West Lane. Throughout he life he used the same ball, a two-hole, 16-pound model that was so worn, the manufacturer’s name disappear decades ago. “I think it’s a Brunswick,” he told an interviewer, “but I can’t be sure.”
He belonged to the Danbury and Ridgefield Bowling Leagues, and was inducted into the Bowling Hall of Fame.
As a youngster, Mr. Clark, nicknamed Eagle Eye, was a basketball star in the days when games were played in the town hall on Main Street. “If the whole team scored 30 points, it was a big night,” he recalled.
He later coached the American Legion’s basketball team. He was also a softball player, and a former coach of the American Legion softball team.
In recent years, Mr. Clark has been active in the Ridgefield Old Timers Association. Last October, the organization’s annual dinner was dedicated to Mr. Clark, who had raised many thousands of dollars for scholarships. That year alone, when he was 96 years old, he collected more than $4,000 in donations. “Tom Clark has been and continues to be the association’s major fund-raiser,” Old Timers Chairman Tom Belote said at the dinner. “Over the years Tom has continued to dedicate his time and energy to ensure that the association’s scholarship fund would continue to benefit deserving Ridgefield High School graduates.”
First Selectman Rudy Marconi called him the Old Timers’ Energizer Bunny — “he keeps on going and going, serving the association and Ridgefield High School scholarship recipients.”
Mr. Clark was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and of the First Congregational Church. He was a daily patron and “chairman of the board” at the Early Bird Café where he enjoyed discussing the “old days” with fellow old-timers.
He also enjoyed helping others and because his good health and eyesight allowed him to drive long after many contemporaries couldn’t, he had often served as a free taxi for Ridgefield’s elderly — some of whom were many years younger than he was.
When asked the secret of his longevity 12 years ago, Mr. Clark told The Press: “I haven’t had a glass of water in 60 years.” He added with a smile, “I use lots of butter, eat meat with plenty of fat, and use plenty of salt and pepper.”
“Tom knew how to live life to the full,” his family said.
Mr. Clark is survived by a daughter: Nancy Clark Parent of Ridgefield; two granddaughters: Linda Parent of Ridgefield and Diane Minck and her husband Chuck of New Milford; a goddaughter, Marlene Hancock of Ridgefield; and several nieces and nephews.
His wife, Ann Neil Hancock Clark, died in 1978, six weeks short of their 50th wedding anniversary. A son, Thomas W. Clark Jr., also died before him.
The Rev. Mark Allan, assistant rector, will lead services on Friday morning at 10 in the First Congregational Church. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Kane Funeral Home, 41 Catoonah Street, on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Ridgefield Old Timers Association, P.O. Box 13, or to the Ridgefield Fire Department Ambulance Fund, 6 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield 06877.