Clancy, Arthur Vincent (Art) Jr. – age 92 of Knoxville, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2022, surrounded by family singing his favorite – Sweet Caroline. Art was born in Asheville, NC on November 27, 1929. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Vincent Clancy, Sr. and Ilene McDaniel Clancy; sisters Katherine Clancy Murphy, Mary Clancy Kerley, and Elizabeth Clancy Kidd. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Sue Rueff Clancy, who he married on St. Patrick’s Day; a sister Josephine Clancy Swikard; two daughters, Sharon Clancy Mulloy (Gene) and Susan Ilene Clancy; four sons, Arthur Vincent Clancy, III (Stephanie), Stephen Patrick Clancy (Paula), David Michael Clancy and Daniel Joseph Clancy (Kim); twelve grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He graduated from Knoxville Catholic High School where he excelled in basketball. Art was also a graduate of Saint Bernard Junior College in Cullman, AL, where he played football and basketball. He served in the U.S. Air Force and in Korea as an Intelligence Officer after graduating from Army Language School in Monterey, CA. He returned home and graduated from the University of Tennessee. He began his work career at Owens Corning Fiberglass, and in 1958 joined Clancy Optical Company. Over the next 50 years, and as President of Clancy Optical Company, Art would achieve recognition in the optical field on the local, state, national and international levels as a Certified Optician by the American Board of Opticianry. He served as the National President of the Opticians Association of America, served on the Board of Directors of the American Board of Opticianry, and for 20 years he served as Chairman of the Licensing Board of Dispensing Opticians for the State of Tennessee and was President of the International Guild of Prescription Opticians. He would hold many other responsible positions and garner many awards and recognition related to his optical profession. He was named as Tennessee’s Outstanding Optician in 1979. Art was also named Southern Optician of the Year, National Optician of the Year and International Optician of the Year throughout his career. His community involvement included past president of Knoxville Rotary Club, where he had 50 years of perfect attendance, District Governor of Rotary International, Development Council and Advisory Board for St. Mary’s Medical Center, Board of Directors for Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors for the YMCA, Better Business Bureau, Knoxville Tourist Bureau, Traveler’s Aide Society and Chairman of the Knoxville Historical Zoning Commission. He was a member of The Elk’s Club and he was a graduate of Leadership Knoxville Class of 1988. He was a communicant of Holy Ghost Catholic Church and a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. He was past President of The School Board for St. Joseph School, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for Knoxville Catholic High School, President of the Knoxville Catholic High School Booster Club, and a member of the board for St. Bernard College. Art was the Grand Marshall of Knoxville’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2017. Art was a huge sports fan. He played tennis on a regular basis throughout his life where he met many of his lifelong friends, and especially enjoyed attending his children’s, grandchildren’s and University of Tennessee sporting events. He was a past member and officer of the Orange Tie Club. He attended almost all UT football and basketball games for 50 years, and was a very strong supporter of The Lady Vols. He enjoyed traveling the world with Sue and close friends, Dave and Roseanne Wolf. He visited many countries, and his travels took him to all 50 states. Art loved making memories with his family at home, or at Shamrock Haven – the Clancy Cabin on Norris Lake, where he was an avid water skier. He also loved Pawley’s Island, where he took his growing family every Memorial Day week for the Clancy Family Beach Trip. When his Clancy Clan grew from 15 to 48, the beaches of Isle of Palms became home to the annual beach trip. Art enjoyed life wherever he was, but his favorite “Happy Place” was sitting by the pool, surrounded by loved ones, overlooking the ocean in Aruba. He dearly loved his family, and will always be admired by those who knew him for his good nature, his sense of humor and his generosity. He mastered the art of storytelling, having many to share, and had the largest collection of jokes because he never forgot one. He was respected in his family and the Knoxville Community for treating everyone with kindness, dignity and respect. He will always be remembered as the most loving husband, the most wonderful Dad, the sweetest Papaw, and the best friend to so many. Art Clancy was a servant. He served God, his family, his country, his profession and the Knoxville Community well. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers are: Tom Jellicorse, Dave Wolf, Bob Montgomery, Nick Likonis, Art Pickle and Ronnie Wells. Active Pallbearers are his Grandsons, Arthur Clancy IV, Michael Mulloy, Spencer Clancy, Matthew Mulloy, Mark Mulloy and Presley Clancy. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, at Bridges Funeral Home with the Rosary to follow at 7:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held at 5:00 PM on Thursday, at Holy Ghost Catholic Church. Monsignor Michael Johnston, Monsignor William Gahagan and Father Bill McNeely will be officiating services for Art. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, Art wanted donations to be made to Holy Ghost Catholic Church Building Fund, 1041 N. Central, Knoxville, TN 37917, or St. Joseph Catholic School, 1810 Howard Dr., Knoxville, TN 37918. The Receiving of Friends and Rosary Service will be livestreamed and may be viewed securely on the Bridges Funeral Home website on Art’s obituary page. Arrangements by Bridges Funeral Home, 5430 Rutledge Pike, 865-523-4999. www.bridgesfuneralhome.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Arthur Vincent Art Clancy November 27 1929 July 29 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Knoxville, Province: T-N