Lionel David Clark
September 19, 1935 – August 13, 2022
It is with much love and sadness that the family of Lionel David Clark (1935 to 2022) wishes to announce his peaceful passing at home in Fall River.
He is survived by his wife, Margret Jean Clark (Dickson); children, Colin Clark, Loralie Clark and Pamela Stephens-Clark; grandchildren, Kaylee and Jessica Stephens-Clark; and many nieces and nephews.
Lionel was born in Plaster Rock, N.B., to parents Verna and Jack Clark. He was the youngest of six children. As a young man, Lionel enjoyed everything that the outdoors of rural community could offer, including canoeing, fishing and guiding on the Tobique River. Lionel left home at the age of 17 to pursue his dream of flying. Lionel joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and served for three years, and continued his training with Fredericton Aviation. After marrying his lifelong partner in 1962, Lionel moved to Gander, N.L., to fly for Eastern Provincial Airlines for four years, piloting countless aircraft types (Cessna, Beaver, Otter, Canso water bomber to name a few) servicing all remote areas of Atlantic Canada. Lionel later flew commercial passenger service for Eastern Provincial, Canadian Pacific and later Canadian Airlines to nearly every airport in North America. Aside from his commercial flying career, Lionel pursued more private and adventurous excursions. These included ferrying aircraft around the world with his lifelong friend Lester Addie, piloting float planes to his favorite fishing camps in Labrador, and countless escapades to any tiny landing strip he could get himself invited to. After his flying career, Lionel spent his time cruising either roads of North America in his RV or sailing the oceans with Holland America. We are grateful that he was not captain of any cruise ship, as his piloting of his RV often resulting in hitting the garage or knocking off the house gutters.
Lionel lived a life well-lived. He loved to be surrounded by his friends and family and cherished social gatherings where he bestowed us all with his endless stories, often with far too much detail and with no story ever repeated. He could often be heard having lengthy debates over the world’s issue with his nephew Bill Miller in Nictau N.B., but no resolutions ever formalized. Lionel was an avid fisherman, a hunter, a hoarder, a handyman (albeit with quality issues), and an expert on all topics (according to him). Lionel was known for his expert palate, where he could enjoy a meal of smoked kippers alongside pizza smeared with molasses…and wash it down with $4 wine from Costco.
The family would like to say special thanks to family friends Gerry, Wayne, Bob and Todd for their time to take Lionel out for road trips and luncheons.
Lionel lived his life with no boundaries and viewed nothing in surmountable. In his last years, Lionel was confined to a motorized wheelchair, but continued to wreak havoc in the neighbourhood. He was always on the neighbourhood streets patrolling and visiting neighbours, often getting stuck in the mud and requiring a tow. He was quick-witted and always enjoyed a good drink and a laugh during happy hour. He will be sorely missed.
Any donations can be made to Victoria Order of Nurses and The Red Cross. There will be no visitation or funeral service at this time. A celebration of life will be held at a time and place to be announced.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Lionel David Clark September 19 1935 August 13 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Lower-Sackville, Province: Nova Scotia