Reginald A. Clarke (ETC, SS Ret.), age 84, died on December 22, 2020 at Bayfront Health Seven Rivers Hospital after a long battle with the COVID-19 virus.
Born December 25, 1935 he grew up in Harlem, New York City. Reginald envisioned a career that far exceeded what Harlem offered. His love for country led him to enter the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. Reginald served with distinction from 1953 to 1975 and was proud to serve as an instructor of Race Relations due to the increasing role of minorities in the Navy. The U.S. Navy’s core values of honor, courage, and commitment laid the foundation for what became a very successful career. He gained the respect of co-workers, fellow veterans, and people throughout the community with his work ethic, determination, and caring.
The discipline he learned while serving in the U.S. Navy for over 22 years never left him as he entered the civilian workplace. He worked as a correction officer in Montville CT while attending college. He then moved on to work as a computer field engineer with Honeywell for 25 years while simultaneously being employed by the Town of Marlborough CT as a constable for 18 years.
Reginald retired with his wife Carole Clarke and moved to Pine Ridge in Beverly Hills Florida in 2000. He was a proud member of the American Legion Post 155, A Voiture 1219, VFW Post 10087, Submarine Holland Club Veterans Association, ELKS, and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 15-01.
Reginald is survived by his wife Carole Clarke, 5 Children Courtnay Clarke, Reginald Clarke III, Nedra Clarke, Karen Johnson, and Michael Williams. Six Grandchildren Anastasia Magee, Kaya Carter, Dylan Ekstrom, Aliana Williams, Eliza Williams, Cameron Delaney and his great grandson Aiden.
Reginald, also known as Mickey is survived by nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, numerous friends and extended family.
A Celebration of Reginald’s life is scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2021 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at The Pavillion at The Depot of Inverness, 300 N. Apopka Avenue, Inverness, FL 34450. Military honors will be rendered by American Legion Post #155 and Subvets.
Dhilwayo words express Reginald’s life best. “A sailor is not defined as much by how many seas he has sailed than by how many storms he has overcome.” Reginald will be cremated at the Charles Davis Funeral Home and his ashes spread at sea to continue his journey.
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