Glenn R Clark

Surrounded by his loving family, Glenn R. Clark passed away at 71 on May 9 after an unflinching struggle with cancer. A devoted husband and father, an inspirational educator, and a devout Catholic, Glenn was born in NYC on April 25, 1952, to June (Callow) Clark and Allan Clark. He is survived by his wife Gail; children Matthew, Jason, and Caitlin Stroh; son-in-law Patrick Stroh; grandchildren Payton and Logan Stroh; brothers Kevin, his wife Amy Hewes, and Brian; as well as many in-laws, cousins, nephews, and nieces. While working at Bergen County Special Services school district in 1978, Glenn met the love-of-his-life Gail (Pecci), a learning resources teacher. For forty-seven years, Glenn channeled his compassion into serving many thousands of children, giving special attention to those with select needs. A true son of New Jersey and longtime resident of Dumont, he was a tenacious mentor and educator, serving as principal of five different schools, including Bergen County Special Services, Dogwood Hill School in Oakland, and Saint Therese of Lisieux School in Cresskill. Glenn is remembered not only for his leadership but also for his cut-to-the-chase wit, proficiency for hitting majestic home runs, and immoderate affection for the Mets, the Jets, and Villanova University, where he’d been president of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. While he was infused with an innate love of books and suffered a love-hate relationship with The Times crossword puzzle, Glenn was most renowned for his steadfast loyalty to his family and his faith. He coached his kids in baseball and softball, and never missed a play, track meet, football game, or school concert. At Saint Therese Church, he was a lector, Eucharistic Minister, and member of the Parish Council. Infused by his spirituality, humility, and unfailing inner strength, Glenn lived the life of a quick-to-laugh doer of good—and, while his absence will be felt forever, his influence remains manifest in the lives he enhanced and inspired. Gail and the children want to offer special thanks to Dr. Charles Vialotti and the benevolent caregivers of Villa Marie Claire Hospice. A wake will be held at Barrett Leber Funeral Home at 148 Dean Dr. in Tenafly from 4-8PM on Mon., May 15. Mass will be celebrated on Tues., May 16 at 10AM at Saint Therese Church in Cresskill, followed by interment at Brookside Cemetery in Englewood. In lieu of flowers the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Lustgarten Foundation for pancreatic cancer research at https://lustgarten.org/donatenow/.

Glenn R Clark

May 9, 2023