Obituary of Thomas Rea Clark

Thomas Rea Clark

September 21, 1942 – February 12, 2024

As an athlete, student, teacher, mentor and coach for more than eight decades, Rea Clark had an out-sized impact on the lives of literally thousands of people. His determination in many things was legendary and truly inspiring. At 14, he scored 27 goals in 9 hockey games - even playing through two of those games with a broken wrist — to help his team win the provincial hockey title. Rea had an opportunity to play hockey professionally and was recruited into the Chicago Blackhawks franchise but an education and teaching career won- out over professional hockey - a career choice that brought him a lifetime of joy. After being recruited to play hockey at Acadia, he captained the team and was named MVP twice. He was later named to the Acadia Hockey Honour Roll.  
 
Following university in Nova Scotia, he lived in London, Ontario, for the rest of his life. He taught for more than three decades, coaching students during those years at South, Wheable, Banting, and Oakridge. It was not uncommon to be out and about with Rea and hear “Hey Coach!” called out to him. Even in his final days, he could talk to you with incredible detail about what former students had done as athletes and then since they’d left school. His care for them was genuine and lifelong.  
 
Newly-retired in his mid-50s, he experienced a significant stroke. His focus on his recovery was an inspiration for all of those who witnessed his absolute determination; Rea felt that giving 100% was the only way to show up when something mattered to him.   
 
For over 50 years, summers were spent in Dunchurch, ON, on Whitestone Lake. The cottage was his favorite spot and the Muskoka chair on the dock was his vantage point to oversee wild life – people and animals – particularly the Clark Olympics. It was on Whitestone that he taught the timetables while out fishing, the art of a proper dive, waterskiing with panache, how to drive a boat, and many of life’s other important lessons. 
 
He was deeply proud of his children and grandchildren. Consistency was a hallmark.  His grandchildren could recite the advice he had offered over the years of watching them play sports around rinks and on pitches in Ontario and Nova Scotia. His first marriage, to Acadia classmate Marcia Barss, brought them the joys of their life - Sharon (partner Paul; children Liam, Niall and Roan) and Andrew (partner Kendra; children Trinity and Megan). His weekly calls with them after they started their own families provided fodder for sharing his pride in their endeavours with his many friends from teaching and sport. He most admired them for the people and parents they were, more than for any work achievements or accolades they were given - that much was always clear. 
 

His second marriage, to the late Lynda Stevens, saw them travel widely and spend time at the cottage, and with her family: Jenn Tindale (partner Tim; children Sara and Leah); Kate Croke - (partner John, children Ella and Naomi); and Kris Bigourdan (partner Yannick; children Ty and Leo). Rea delighted equally in their many pursuits whether on water-skis, in gymnastics, the soccer field or equestrian.  
 
A particularly remarkable aspect of his life was the group of friends he made among fellow teachers in the ‘70s. Rea was deeply connected to this group – the Turtle Lake Open crew. Former student, and co-coach, Jason Bukala was a constant and important presence in his life, as were many cottage neighbours and friends. Bailey, the dog, could find no better humans to live with than Jeff and Laurie.
 
Rea grew up in Woodstock, Ontario.  His younger brother Ian and sister-in-law Yvonne (children Thomas and Sara) still live in the family home there.  In his final months, Rea was supported by a compassionate team of health professionals in London. His neighbour Maureen was a consistent and caring support to him in his final months. Ron accompanied him to many of his medical appointments, as he and Lynda Reesor did on so many of their adventures in life since they met in 1969.
 
Cremation has taken place. His soul will rest with the sunsets over Whitestone Lake.  A visitation with family and friends will take place on Monday, February 19 th , from 11:00 am - 2:00pm, in the gymnasium at Alliance Church, 750 Wonderland Rd. N. London. Reflections will be shared at 12:00pm. In his memory, Rea would really want you to call your parents, family, or someone you love;
just for a few minutes, to check-in. He rarely missed a regular check-in call with his kids and grandkids. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the “Rea Clark Scholarship" at Acadia University. Online condolences may be left at www.funeraloptions.ca