Thomas E. Clarke

Thomas E. Clarke, Sr., 81, of Middletown, RI, died Friday, June 29, 2007 at Newport Hospital, Newport, RI. He was the husband of Barbara Augustus Clarke.Tom was born in Newport, RI on March 31, 1926; he was the son of the late Isaac Clarke and Genevieve Murphy Clarke.Mr. Clarke served in the United States Army during World War II and was stationed in Japan. Tom worked for the gas company for 15 years before becoming a letter carrier, retiring after 30 years of service. Tom enjoyed bowling, volleyball, playing cards and was an avid Red Sox fan. He touched so many people?s lives with his friendly greetings. He was a man about town, working his downtown mail routes. If anyone needed anything; stamps, change, directions, bridge tokens, even dog treats he was there. Tom Clarke will be sadly missed and always remembered. Besides his wife of 59 years, he also leaves a son Thomas Clarke, Jr. of Portsmouth, RI, three daughters Kathleen Sarraino of Virginia Beach, VA, Barbara Westfall of Silverdale, WA, and Christine Silveira of Plainfield, CT. He also leaves six grandchildren, Michael Clarke, Stephanie and Michael Sarraino and Jimmy, Nicole and Kathleen Silveira; two sisters Phyllis Bowley and Jean Smith and one brother Russell Clarke.Tom was preceeded in death by his son Kenneth Clarke as well as three brothers, Kenny, Charlie and Wally Clarke and two sisters, Gena Copsey and Bebe Echola.His funeral will be held on Tuesday, July 3, 2007, at 10:00am in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.Burial will follow in Middletown Cemetery, Wyatt and Turner Road, Middletown.Calling hours will be held on Monday, July 2, 2007, from 4-7pm in the funeral home.In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 931 Jefferson Boulevard, Suite 3004, Warwick, RI 02886.