More detail on this person: The Rev. James E.
Clark, Pastor of Corpus Christi Roman Catholic
Church in Round Lake, NY entered into eternal life
on October 2, 2015.
Born in Niskayuna in 1942, Jim was the son of the
late Wilmont H. Clark and Doris Elizabeth Proper
Clark and was the husband of the late Sandra J.
Polsinelli Clark for over 20 years.
"Father Jim" was raised in Scotia, NY and
graduated from Scotia-Glenville High School.
He earned Bachelor of Science degrees in
Business from Northrop University (BS), Inglewood,
CA and Bentley University (BS), Waltham, MA
before entering the U.S. Army, where he went on to
earn a Master's of Business Administration from
Western New England University (MBA),
Springfield, MA.
Fr. Jim completed a highly decorated career of
active duty in the U.S. Army.
He was deployed on multiple overseas service
campaigns including several tours of duty as a
helicopter pilot in Vietnam, where he flew and
maintained various aircraft while also obtaining
his Senior Army Aviation Badge, Master Army
Aviation Badge as well as his Instructor Pilot
Certification.
His career was filled with many commendations,
medals, citations, awards and promotions including
16 Air Medals with Valor, the Bronze Star, the
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.
He retired at the rank of Lt. Colonel and
relocated to Sunrise, Florida with his family.
Jim's ambition and work ethic quickly put him back
in the work force as a college professor at
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in West Palm
Beach, FL and Utica, NY as well as various
military installations overseas.
Only a few years went by before Jim's wife Sandy
passed away in 1985 after her own courageous
battle with cancer.
Jim continued teaching at Embry-Riddle, and later
taught at Siena College in Loudonville, NY where
he was a professor of business management,
logistics, and process improvement.
At that time, he also began working for the Roman
Catholic Diocese of Albany as an Administrator
under the leadership of Bishop Emeritus Howard J.
Hubbard after returning to the Capital District.
He went on to earn additional graduate degrees
including a Masters of Divinity from St. Bernard's
Institute of Theology and Ministry (M.Div.),
Rochester, NY and a Masters of Theology from the
Theological College at Catholic University of
America (Th.M.), Washington, DC.
He entered the seminary and was ordained a
Roman Catholic Priest on June 15, 1996.
Fr. Clark served as pastor of parishes throughout
the Diocese of Albany, including St. Catherine's
in Middleburgh, St. Joseph's in Schoharie, St.
Jude's in Wynantskill, St. Patrick's in Catskill,
Immaculate Conception in Hoosick Falls, and St.
George's in Pittstown.
Fr. Clark merged the three parishes of St. James
in Fort Plain, Sts. Peter and Paul in Canajoharie,
and St. Patrick's in Johnsville into Our Lady of
Hope in Fort Plain.
He was appointed Pastor of Corpus Christi Church
in Round Lake in 2010 where he served until the
time of his death.
In 2007, he had the opportunity to take a
sabbatical to the Pontifical North American
College in Rome, Italy.
Fr. Jim was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of
Columbus Rensselaer County and Saratoga
County.
He served on many boards and councils throughout
the Diocese of Albany including the Deaf
Apostolate, the retirement board, "Called to Be
Church," as well as managing the consolidation and
construction of the Albany Diocesan building
located at 40 North Main. Fr. Jim was also a
Chaplain for the New York State Police and many
Capital District hospitals.
Fr. Jim loved the outdoors. He was an avid skier,
swimmer, and bicyclist and loved to travel.
Besides Italy, his favorite getaway was Myrtle
Beach. He could often be found feeding the deer or
watching the birds, as he was always at peace
surrounded by animals.
Interment will be at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery,
2501 Troy Rd, Niskayuna, at 11am on Friday,
October 9.
Burial: Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna,
Schenectady County, New York, USA
Burial information: Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna, NY
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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