John Clark Obituary

John Clark
08/04/2025
John E. Clark, 98, of Flat Rock, NC, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2025.
John was born March 2, 1927 in Middletown, CT, to Jonathan W. and Charlotte Pelander Clark. He had five step-siblings that were a full generation older than him, so he was essentially raised as a very doted-on only child. Following his 1944 graduation from high school in Middletown, he served in the United States Merchant Marines from 1944-1946. After his service, he returned to CT to attend UConn, where he graduated in 1952, with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering.
John married Dorothy Mae Lawton in 1950, while in the midst of his college education. Following graduation from UConn, he joined Lane Construction of Meriden, CT, rising to become a Vice President of the company. His primary focus was development of the interstate highway system that we've all come to depend on. Over the next several years, he furthered his education, receiving his PE Certification.
John and Dorothy lived in Keene, NH, from 1958-1972, where they raised their five children. His hobby was residential home design and construction and, while living in Keene, he designed and built two beautiful homes for his ever growing family. The family moved to Farmington, CT, in 1972, where John and Dorothy divorced a few years later.
John married Kathryn Miggos in 1974. They lived in Lorton, VA, while John worked in the construction industry. While working a full-time position, he also wrote his book titled "Concrete Cost Estimating". The book was published in 1983 and adopted as a text book by UConn's School of Engineering. After retiring, John became an expert witness, testifying world-wide in litigation for problematic large concrete construction projects.
John and Kathryn retired to Fort Myers, FL, where he designed and built an exquisite home on Connie Mack Island. Kathryn died in 2004, at 70 years old.
John married Alice Blackwood in 2004. They sold the Connie Mack Island house and moved to a condo overlooking the river in Fort Myers. They also bought property in Flat Rock, NC and became "snowbirds" - Fort Myers in the winter and Flat Rock in the summer. Their love of Flat Rock prompted a permanent move, where they have lived in their beautiful mountain home since 2015.
During his 98 years of life, John E. Clark filled many roles, but his favorite and longest role was being a wonderful Dad. His first child was born in 1952, when he was only 25 years old and the others followed closely on the heels of the first. By the time he was 32 years old, he was the very proud father of five children.
John leaves his wife, Alice Blackwood Clark, whose constant loving care brought him through his final years when his health began to fail him. He leaves his five children, Janet Glazebrook (David) of Gastonia, NC, John Clark II (Patty) of Keene NH, Judith Pawlowski (Mitch) of Glastonbury, CT, Jacquelyn Charest (Colin) of Ellington, CT and Jennifer Kelaher (Jim) of Avon, CT; his stepsons, Daniel E. Carr (Annie), Jay Blackwood (Mairi), Alan Blackwood (Jacki), Scott Blackwood (Shari), and Eric Blackwood (Ann). He leaves 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren and, on the Blackwood side, 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He also leaves his nephew and life-long best friend, Russell Waldo (Alma), of Guilford, CT.
In keeping with John's wishes, there will be no funeral service. There will be a private celebration of life at a later date.