Edward Russell Clark, Jr. (“Russ”) passed away at home on July 2, 2022, at the age of 90.
A lifelong resident of Kennebunkport, Russell was caring and fun-loving man known for his quick wit and cheerful perspective, as well as a trusted source of wisdom and diplomacy.
Russell was born on Dec. 24, 1931 in Biddeford, the second child of Edward and Nadine (Gellerson) Clark. He grew up in the family home on School Street in Kennebunkport, and attended Kennebunk High School, where he was a three-sport athlete, playing football, basketball and golf. He quarterbacked the undefeated 1948 KHS football team that won the state championship. He spent summers working at his father’s grocery store, Towne & Clark; the family hotel, The Webhannet; and as a caddy and ranger at Cape Arundel Golf Course.
After graduating in 1950, Russ attended the University of Maryland on a golf scholarship before enlisting in the Army, where he served in Alaska during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning home he earned his degree in business from Suffolk University, then worked at Traip Academy in Kittery, where he taught business math for 23 years.
It was a friend from Traip who invited him to the party where he met his wife, Susan. Russ and Sue traded barbs across the buffet table; a few months later they eloped. Thus began a love story that lasted over 53 years. They lived in Cape Porpoise with his sons, Chris and Eric, and added daughters, Trish and Meg. He was a devoted family man, placing care for his wife, sons, and daughters at the heart of his life.
Russ retired from teaching at age 50 and began a second career as a lobsterman. He fished out of Cape Porpoise Harbor for over two decades on two different boats he named for his wife, who went out with him as his sternman. His sons Chris and Eric joined him during the summer in their own boats, and his daughter Meg pitched in as his bait-girl. He loved lobstering, and his years on the water and as part of the community at the pier were some of the richest and most memorable of his life.
Throughout these years, he continued to golf with a close network of friends. He shared the course record at Cape Arundel with pros Ken Raynor and Bryce Roberts. He was a frequent participant in member-guest tournaments, and part of the original group that founded the annual Lobsterman’s Open Tournament at Webhannet Golf Club, a summer highlight that grew in popularity and enjoyment for decades. In later years, he loved playing rounds at Merriland Farm, the par three course in Wells.
Russell was active until the very end of his life, and even in his final days he was buying and trading golf clubs, looking for bargains at Goodwill, riding around the beach and out to the pier, and trying out new food trucks in town. He spent each day looking for things to enjoy, kept his sunny outlook and keen sense of humor. He was grateful for the care and help provided by his children and son-in-law that allowed him to live out his final days in the home he built and loved.
Russell is survived by his four children: Christopher and his wife Deirdre of Cumberland, Eric and his wife Maria of Kennebunkport, Trish and her husband Steve of Boxford, Massachusetts, and Meg and her husband Patrick of Buxton; grandchildren Nick, Madeline, Devin, Kendyn, Owen, and Lily; two great-grandsons; and three siblings – Peter Wendell, Harriett Gott, and Helena Brooks. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Susan, and his sister Janet Winters.
A burial service will be held graveside at Arundel Cemetery in Kennebunkport on Thursday, July 14 at 11 a.m. followed by a gathering at 26 School St.
Donations in memory of Russell may be made to the Maine Lobsterman’s Association. 2 Storer St., Suite 203 Kennebunk, ME 04043.
To share a memory of leave a message of condolence, please visit Russell’s Book of Memories Page at www.Bibberfuneral.com.
Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk, ME 0404.
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