Lewis H. Clark

Lewis Howard Clark, known as Louie, was born on December 12, 1948, in a small town called Wilcox in southern Arizona, about 70 miles from the Mexican border. His family was far from wealthy, but they were incredibly rich in love. The youngest of 5 children, he had 1 brother, Sonny, and 3 sisters, Frances, Mary, and Hopey. The family home was small, and the water was pumped into the house by a windmill in the backyard. Louie’s grandfather Howard, a bona fide cowboy, lived in a trailer in that same yard.

As a youth in the 1950s and 60s, Louie enjoyed going to the movies with his friends and family, attending dances at the local hall, and zipping around the desert in his dune buggy. He was very proud of his first car, a 1955 Chevy.

Passionate about Mexican food, Louie often bragged about the culinary skills of his mom and sisters. He loved tacos, tamales, his mom’s homemade tortillas, and special blend of sun tea, steeped in the hot Arizona sun for hours on the front porch before being served over ice.

Louie was always surrounded by the warmth of love and family. His whole life he valued family. Louie maintained a connection with his siblings, their children, and their children’s children, sending them prayers and well-wishes through phone calls, greeting cards, email, and Facebook messages. The importance of family connection imprinted on Louie’s immediate and extended family through the generations. He was also an avid genealogist, and proudly displayed pictures of his ancestors from the Old West.

In 1967, Louie graduated from Wilcox High where he made lifelong friends. After fifty years of long distance correspondence, he was very happy to see his old friends in person at his class’s 50th reunion.

Over the years, Louie worked a series of jobs. He delivered newspapers, worked as a supermarket butcher, picked oranges in the blazing sun and even helped fight wild fires in California. He picked up cleaning contracts for various businesses, sold vacuums and pre-planned funeral packages. Louie’s longest job was as a custodian at the New Brunswick Community College in Saint John, from which he retired in 2014. A super friendly guy, Louie made valuable friendships that he kept till the very end.

In June 1980 Louie traveled to a church convention in Indiana, where he met his future wife, Judi McKim. They were married a few months later on August 22 in Lordsburg, New Mexico. For almost 45 years, Louie remained happily married to the love of his life. Louie joined the Christian Fellowship church when he moved to New Brunswick, and became a faithful member and brother of the congregation, his loving, extended family.

After 34 years of living in Canada Louie was incredibly proud to get his Canadian citizenship at a ceremony in 2014.

Louie’s life in Canada centred around his family. In May 1982, Judi gave birth to their only child, their pride and joy, son Jeffrey Clark. Louie was a loving, devoted and protective father who encouraged and supported Jeff, especially his pursuit of acting and comedy. Louie was Jeff’s biggest fan.

The Clark family went on summer vacations every year, often a camping trip in Maine. Louie’s most treasured trips by far were the long road trips to Arizona to see his large family.  When Jeff moved to Toronto, Louie and Judi would come to visit. On his most recent trip, Louie enjoyed taking in the sites, visiting the Toronto Islands with Jeff and Jennifer, and attending a late summer Toronto Blue Jays game.

Louie was loyal, faithful and dutiful; compassionate, loving and sensitive; patient, caring, funny, and silly. He will always be missed and never forgotten.

Louie is survived by his son Jeff Clark (Jennifer McKinley) of Toronto; sister Mary Clark of Arizona; as well as several nieces and nephews in Canada and the US.  Along with his parents, Louie was predeceased by his wife Judi, brother Joe and sisters Hope and Frances.

Arrangements are under the direction of Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road (506-646-2424) with visitation being held at the Christian Fellowship Church (25 Chamberlain Rd. Quispamsis) on Wednesday, April 8th from 3 to 6 p.m.  A Funeral Service will take place at the Church on Thursday, April 9th at 12 noon followed by an interment at Fernhill Cemetery.  Donations in memory of Louie may be made to The Alzheimer’s & Dementia Society or to the charity of the donor’s choice.