Herbert J. Clark Obituary (1938 - 2025)

Herbert James Clark, 86, passed away at Calais Community Hospital on February 13, 2025 surrounded by his beloved family. He was affectionately known as Herbie, Herb, Dad and Papa. He was born on March 11, 1938 in Pembroke, Maine, the first child of Nellie (Newcomb) and Ralph (Cappy) Clark. His life was one of devotion to his loving family, hard work and his community. He started his trucking career with his father at age 16 while attending Pembroke High School, graduating in 1956. He bought his first truck in 1962, and 18 more in the years that followed. His favorite trucks were his Mack trucks. He owned and operated H. J. Clark and Sons, Inc. until his retirement in 2004. Over the 50 years of trucking he plowed snow, used his dump trucks to haul gravel and build roads, used his cranes to load tree-length logs onto his trucks and drove all over Maine delivering to mills. He owned a garage on West St in Princeton and serviced/repaired his trucks at Mack’s Garage in Princeton for many years. He employed many truck drivers and crane operators through the years, but ended the way he started, as a sole operator. He was happy every day that he was able to work, and also enjoyed 20 years of retirement. He married his loving wife, Eileen Annas on June 12, 1966 and together they raised their three children Steven Wayne, Janet Colleen and Aaron James in Charlotte. Being very community-minded, he served as a firefighter, first in Pembroke and continued with Charlotte Vol. Fire & Rescue Department for 68 years, serving as president, secretary and treasurer over the years. He served on Charlotte School Board for 53 years, Charlotte board of tax assessors, as moderator of many town meetings, and on various other town boards. He was a member of the Charlotte Vol. Fire & Rescue Auxiliary and Charlotte Historical Society and attended Charlotte Baptist Church. He served on the board of Calais Regional Hospital from 1997 until 2020 and on the board of directors for Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative for several years. He helped organize the Charlotte Summer Softball League in 1979, where he umpired, coached and kept the league going for many years. He helped build the Charlotte School playground and softball field that was later named Herbie Clark Field. He served in the U. S. Army National Guard from 1959 until 1966. He was also a proud member of the Pembroke American Legion, Post 59. He was predeceased by his parents, his in-laws, Leo & Ethel Annas, his infant sister Madonna, his brother Jack and his brothers-in-law Keith Corthell, Ralph Mahar and David Pressley, and closest friend, Leslie Meacock. He is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, his children Steven (Anita) Clark, Janet (Robert) Moholland and Aaron (Christy) Clark, grandchildren Kayla Clark (Seth Richard), Felicia Moholland, Robert (Bobby) Moholland, Kelci Clark (Donny Silva), Leo Clark and Stella Clark, his sisters Doris (Dot) Corthell, Mary Mahar and Norma (Mac) Cushing, his brother Donald (Coralie) Clark, sisters-in-law Jeanne Clark and Juanita Pressley, many cousins, nieces and nephews. Herbie loved to work, but his greatest joy was his family. He loved to play cards and games and attend local sporting events, especially the Charlotte Coyotes and the Calais Blue Devils. He enjoyed traveling, family vacations, fairs & festivals and summers spent on Pennamaquan Lake. He will be fondly remembered for the contributions he made to his community, his character, generosity and his love and devotion to his family and friends. A celebration of life will be held at Charlotte Baptist Church on Thursday, February 20th at 11 am. A private burial will be held at Round Pond Cemetery in Charlotte at a later date. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Those who wish may make a donation to Charlotte Volunteer Fire & Rescue or Charlotte Baptist Church, c/o Janet Moholland, 9 Annas Drive, Charlotte, ME 04666, or to a charity of your choice.