Eight Bells: John Clark

John Clark passed away January 17, 2024 following a struggle with cancer in Kingston, Ont. He was 59 years of age.

Born in 1964, he learned to sail at Frenchman’s Bay Yacht Club (Pickering, Ont) and went on to become a seven-time Shark World Champion and an Albacore World Champion. His passion for sailing brought him not only around the world for competitions, but also gave him a rewarding and enjoyable career.

He owned Kingston Sail Loft (formerly JC Sails) for over 30 years, crafting one of a kind world class, race winning sails. After mastering the world of sailing, John found a new passion in kiteboarding. His love for kiteboarding brought him to new places, like Brazil, Africa, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. At 55, he discovered a new extreme sport—Onewheeling—covering over 12,000 km around Kingston in four years, often sharing the thrill with his daughter Ellie by his side.

Beyond his adventures, John’s deepest bonds were with his family, most lovingly his two daughters, Jeremy Osa Clark and Ellie Dorothy Clark. Their connection was like no other, and they will forever be best friends.

He was loved dearly by his father, Ronald James Clark (Mary Ann Sheppard), his mother, Sandra Gay Duncan (Ian Duncan), his sisters Nicole Yvonne Clark and Camielle Ellen Clark (David Holmes), and his nephew Klaus Brockhausen.

He has left a lasting impression on a multitude of friends, the sailing and kiteboarding communities, and the countless people he met along his journey. He will be deeply missed by many.

A tribute will be held on January 31, 2024, the day that would have been John’s 60th birthday, at the Red House, 369 King Street East, in Kingston, from 4pm to 7pm.

Source: https://thewhig.remembering.ca/obituary/john-clark-1089294313