EASTPORT - Elmer Owen Clarke died peacefully at the Narraguagus Bay Nursing Home in Milbridge on May 31, 2013. Elmer was born August 25, 1923 in Calais to Newton J. Clarke and Clara May Hill. Elmer attended the Eastport and Pembroke schools and graduated from Pembroke High School in 1942. He immediately joined the U.S. Navy. He was a radioman in the newly commissioned D.E. Fessenden, serving in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. The Fessenden was credited with sinking a German U-Boat in the Atlantic. Elmer served nearly nine years in the Navy. During this time he met and married Leola McDonald. Elmer attended William and Mary College and worked primarily as an accountant. After the death of his wife, Elmer was ordained in the Church of God, serving in communities in Virginia, Maryland, and Maine. After his retirement he returned to Eastport and was active in the Church of God in Eastport. He also was a member in good standing of the Coffee Klatch and often visited the Eastport Nursing Home, singing and visiting with the patients. Elmer is survived by nieces and nephew Patricia Wright Cowperthwaite and husband Deane of Baltimore, MD, James H. Wright and wife Corrine of Sanbornton, NH, Ruth A. Owen and husband Robert of Pembroke, Madonna J. Lewis and husband Joseph of Eastport and Maureen C. Pottle and husband Larry of Plymouth; sister-in-law Melba Clarke of Australia and a great many grand-nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his older sister B. Mae Clarke Wright and his older brother Charles; three infant sisters, Mary Ellen, Ida Amanda and Annie Minerva and nieces and nephews, Mary Wentworth, Elizabeth Frost, Paul Wright and John Wright. A graveside service will be held 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 4th at Hersey Side Cemetery, Hersey Rd., Pembroke. Donations in Elmer’s memory may be made to Wounded Warrior Project.
Added by Charles Mattes on Jul 23, 2015