LEE CLARK

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LEE CLARK We regret to announce the passing of Lee Clark on August 10, 2008 at the age of 71. He was in recent years a resident of Lake Metigoshe, Ottawa, and previously of Brandon. Lee (or Leland as he was known until the beginning of his university days) was born in Davidson, Saskatchewan on December 16, 1936 and he continued to reside in that province until he accepted a combined teaching/Dean of Men's Residence position at Brandon College in 1964. He began his early education at Simpson, SK where he proudly recalled that he rode a horse four or so miles to school each day during the non-winter months. Later the family relocated to a farm near Doonside (a hamlet that no longer exists) and he and his younger brothers attended a local one room country school called Mountney during which time Lee was always first in his class, which was not all difficult in that he was the only one in his class! Later he transferred to Wawota High and, following graduation, he attended the University of Saskatchewan, obtaining his B.Ed in 1959 and his B.A. (Honours) in 1961. Throughout most of those years, hockey was a major part of his life - first in Wawota and later at the U of S and he forever bore some of the evidence of being a goalie before the invention of the mask! During his third year of university, Lee met and later married (in 1959) Barbara Woods, a fellow student in the Faculty of Education. Barb unselfishly gave up her own studies to support the newly married couple as Lee completed his second degree at the U of S and, subsequently, a Master of Arts at the University of Oregon. After those eight continuous years of study, Barb and Lee came back to Regina, where they both taught for one year (Lee at Sheldon Williams Collegiate) prior to the decision to join Lee's long term mentor, Dr. Charles Lightbody, at Brandon College. Cheryl, Lee and Barb's first daughter, may well be one of the few Canadian women to have been raised in a Men's Residence for her first year and a half, while Janine, the younger daughter, was born during Lee's doctoral studies at the University of Alberta. Returning to graduate studies as an adult with family responsibilities was not without its challenges but Lee proudly received his Ph.D. in Canadian history just weeks before his 40th birthday. Lee regarded himself, first and foremost, as a teacher although he was very proud of the fact that a revised form of his doctoral dissertation entitled Brandon: Its Politics and Politicians was published by the Brandon Sun as part of that newspaper's centennial celebration. During those teaching years, Lee was an extremely dedicated volunteer in the Brandon community. He was an active member of the United Church, the John Howard Society, in organizing a volunteer visitation program to the old correctional institute and in a campaign to secure a much needed detox centre for Brandon. In addition, he was a very involved member of the Progressive Conservative Party, an activity which culminated in his election as Member of Parliament for Brandon-Souris in the 1983 by-election. To serve in the government of Canada, whose history he had long studied and taught, was the realization of long-held dream and Lee and Barb worked long and hard together to fulfill the duties of being a Member of Parliament. Although his tasks were many, he was particularly pleased to be invited by the Prime Minister to serve as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and subsequently to the Minister of the Environment. In addition, he was especially proud of his long time association with Joe Clark's and later Jean Charest's leadership campaigns. Having been re-elected in the 1984 and 1988 General Elections, Lee decided to retire from politics and he did not seek re-election in the 1993 General Election. Subsequently, he was appointed Executive Assistant to the President of Brandon University, a position he held until his retirement from that institution in 1998. Soon after, Lee and Barb decided to make their cottage at Lake Metigoshe their permanent home where Lee spent many happy summers cutting his numerous riding/hiking trails on which he and others loved to ride his several horses. Winters were spent in Ottawa so that Barb and Lee could see more of their extremely precious grandchildren. Lee regarded having the opportunity to share in Jacob's and Noah's numerous activities as a privilege and he looked forward to the trip each winter to Charlottetown so that Papa and Nana could spend quality time with Jade, their one and only granddaughter. Lee is survived by his mother Enid Clark (Alberta), wife Barb, daughters Cheryl Clark (Chris Caldwell) PEI, and Janine (Gerry Guillot) Ottawa; and by his three precious grandchildren Jacob, Noah and Jade. Lee also leaves behind brothers Bob (Donna) (AB) and Doug (ON) as well as a cousin Gail (Fred) Coward (AB). Donations in memory of Lee may be made to your choice of charity. The funeral will take place Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Central United Church, 327 8th Street in Brandon to be followed by a tea reception. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Brockie Donovan in Brandon (204) 727-0694. Messages of condolence may be placed at www.brockiedonovan.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 12, 2008