A Tribute to Thomas R. Clark, 37, Summit NJ

(Originally posted on September 11th, 2006. Edited to post every year thereafter and today in memoriam. Never to be forgotten.)

A tribute to Thomas R. Clark, 37, Summit, NJ

This year, I wanted to pay tribute to one of the 2996 persons who lost their lives on 9/11. I found the 2996 Project and signed up, wishing to commemorate that day, now in its fifth anniversary, in a more personal and positive way. In looking up information regarding Mr. Clark, I grew to learn of a man who was dearly loved and missed by his close family and many lifelong friends, a man of sincerity and soft-spokenness.

Thomas Richard Clark was Rich and Pat Clark’s son. He was born on December 13th, 1961, in Short Hills, NJ. He was Jim’s younger brother and Margaret Clark’s grandson. He had many playmates who became his lifelong friends. He played Little League with the Cardinals until reaching high school. I could just imagine his mom making team banners and bringing water and snacks for the team, his dad chalking the baseball diamonds and coaching the players, and the bleachers filled with family and friends cheering for him and his team. Little League was one of those things we had in common.

He went to Millburn High School, then on to University of Richmond, majoring in history. He was an active member of Phi Delta Theta. He went on to become the vice-president of Sandler O’Neill at the World Trade Center.

He was Lisa’s husband. They met at The Office restaurant in Summit. They were married for six years and have two little children, Matthew and Whitney. His greeting to his family when he got home from work was “Big Hugs!” He and his son, 2-year-old Matthew, would go to Dunkin’ Donuts to pick up pastries and watch the trains as they ate breakfast.

Tommy, as he was known, had a knack for storytelling. He had a memory for all the stories from his childhood, and loved telling them in his classic “Clarkism”. He reminds me of my brother-in-law (who also majored in history), who would tell funny stories until we were out of breath from laughing.

Tommy loved his family and friends and the things he did. He was loyal, sincere, warm, and witty. His death was a tremendous loss and I truly doubt that, through the years, that loss has diminished in any way. He was a blessing to those whose lives he touched including mine, and it is an honor to write this tribute to him.

Next time
you and I
will compare notes,
And what we’ve learned
will save us time
to learn more and
to love harder.

We are not thru,
you and I.
Pat Clark (Short Hills, NJ )

Credits:
September 11, 2001 Victims

Phi Delta Theta

Obits, Syracuse

Click image for the link to the 2996 tributes.

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