Francis Joseph Clarke
Francis Joseph Clarke was born in New York City on March 24, 1941. He grew up in the Highbridge section in the Bronx, the youngest of three children to Frank and Margaret McHale Clarke, both from County Mayo, Ireland. He was educated at Sacred Heart Elementary School and Cathedral Preparatory, a Minor Seminary, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. He graduated from Fordham University in 1963.
After Fordham, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving two years aboard the U.S.S. Lowry. He spent one year helping sandblast the ship in Norfolk, Va. and the second getting a chance to see different parts of the world, including ports in Europe.
Following the Navy, he took a job with the Ronald Press in Manhattan, where he met his future wife, Elizabeth Ann Slocum. They had their first date at Molly Maguire's Pub and Restaurant on St. Patrick's Day in 1967 and got married on September 14, 1968 at St Vincent Ferrer Church in New York City. They were married 56 years and were deeply devoted to each other, with Elizabeth caring for and comforting him at their apartment in Manhattan as he fought a short battle with cancer. He died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of April 1.
After living a brief time in the Bronx, Frank and Elizabeth moved to Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y. in 1970 where they raised their three sons: Andrew (born in 1969), Paul (born in 1971) and David (born in 1974).
Frank retired from a long career in the reinsurance industry in 2009. He had an incredible work ethic that was developed at a young age. He took his first job when he was around 10-years-old, sweeping out a neighborhood store. Growing up in a working class family, he held a number of after school jobs, among his favorites was as an errand boy for a local butcher, who inspired a lifelong interest in food and nutrition. At age 12, he was able to buy his family their first television set from his earnings from that job.
Curious and intelligent, he was a lifelong learner who devoured numerous newspapers each day and tuned into the PBS Newshour at night. When he began to travel more broadly once his sons were out of college, he would make the most of the trips to London and other European capitals by studying up on everything he wanted to see months in advance, occasionally writing to the travel guide authors to correct their errors.
He was also a prodigious saver, prioritizing spending money on family dinners and vacations as well as his sons’ education. He particularly enjoyed the family’s yearly trip to Martha’s Vineyard, where he had earlier honeymooned with Elizabeth. His kids got a kick out of the lengths he would go to bulk up the bank account for these activities. He cut coupons, viewed jeans as a 15-year-investment, and insisted on commuting to work in a car without air conditioning or a radio, which he considered frivolous luxuries. But he was always generous with his family and others – most importantly with his time and attention. He was an uncommonly decent man with an empathetic spirit.
In Croton, he was an active member of Holy Name of Mary Church where he served as a lector and a member of the choir. As a boy, he was an altar boy. As an adult, he often attended mass multiple times a week.
In the early 2000s, he and Elizabeth bid the suburban life goodbye and moved into an apartment in Manhattan just up the avenue from the United Nations. He was invigorated by all there was to do and took joy in even routine activities like grocery shopping at different markets as well as chamber music concerts at local churches. The neighborhood was in some ways far from the Bronx where he grew up, but also had reminders of the life his immigrant parents built for themselves and their children with the opportunities they found in America. The Con Edison plant where his father worked was only a few blocks down the street and around the corner was a brownstone where his mother worked as a maid when she first arrived from Ireland.
Along with being a loving father and husband, he was a welcoming and loving presence for his three daughters-in-law: Kristen, Jennifer and Margaret. He made each feel like a member of the family.
He was also a wonderful grandfather, or “Papa,” who took immense joy in his four grandchildren: Matt (25), Emma (23), Betsy (4) and Charlotte (18 months). He was an enthusiastic singer whose tastes ran toward old standards. As young children, Matt and Emma got a kick out of his renditions of “Top Hat, White Tie and Tails” and “I Got Shoes.” Betsy and Charlotte loved hearing him sing “Alouette, Gentille Alouette” with Betsy proudly learning the lyrics so she could sing the song back to him. All four were treated to his monkey face and learned to make it themselves while laughing.
Frank Clarke is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Slocum Clarke of Manhattan; his sons Andrew (Kristen Thomas Clarke) of Devon, Pa.; Paul (Jennifer Kotler Clarke) of Ossining, N.Y., David (Margaret Lynn Chadbourn) of Alexandria, Va.; his grandchildren Matthew of Nashville, Tenn., Emma of Philadelphia, Pa.; Elizabeth “Betsy” of Alexandria, Va. and Charlotte Frances of Alexandria, Va., and numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his sisters Anne Bérubé and Rita Buckley.
There will be a memorial service to celebrate Frank's life at The Church of St. Vincent Ferrer, at 869 Lexington Ave (Between 65th & 66th) New York, NY 10065 on April 14th at 10am. Following the service, there will be a luncheon at Copinette located at 891 1st Ave (at 50th Street), New York, NY 10022.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Frank’s honor to the following organizations:
Carpenter’s Shelter
Breakthrough T1D,
NYC Bird Alliance
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IN MEMORY Nestor Benjamin Zapata Passed Jan 15, 2026 Born June 28,1932 Resided Nyc, NY Nestor Benjamin Zapata went home to the Risen Jesus on Jan 15, 2026 at age 93. Nestor was born to Nestor Zapata Sandoval and Anita Vinck on June 28, 1932 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. As a Child, He excelled in school, theater and sports. With leading roles in plays at George Washington H.S. IN Washington Heights, NYC. He was also an avid baseball and basketball player. He loved playing golf with his friends. He also was an excellent ice skater that few PR's can do. Nestor met his 1st wife, Connie at a church dance. They married two years later and went on to have four children, Nestor, Michael, Laura and Christina. Also many Grandchildren as well Great-Grandchildren He later met his current wife, Grace and married Nov 5, 1999. They loved going to meetings to celebrate the gift of sobriety. As well as helping many people along the journey. They also enjoyed going to Lincoln Center, Radio City and Broadway. Seeing Hamilton twice! They acquired an incredible taste for NYC Cuisine. In addition to being a dedicated father, Nestor also loved the NY Yankees and NY Giants, also staying active in AA & holding various roles at the church. He also will be remembered for umpiring little league on Roosevelt Island. He held an unwavering faith in God, which He shared with those who surrounded him.
Viewing Thursday December 18th, 2025 9:00 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. Funeral Mass Church of St. Monica 413 East 79th Street New York, NY 10075 Thursday December 18th, 2025 10:00 A.M. Private Cremation In Lieu of Flowers Donate to St. Jude https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html
Donna M. Hamilton, a beloved mother, was born on December 27, 1943 in Kansas City, MO and peacefully passed away in the early evening of October 31, 2025. Donna’s faith guided her outlook to motherhood and to life. Donna grew up throughout the state of Texas. After graduating high school, her family moved to Washington, D. C. She eventually met and later married Vernon Hamilton (1930-2014); they had three children. Donna enjoyed participating in her church's events, embroidery, watching Hallmark movies, and most of all being with her family and friends. She had a beautiful smile and a kind, friendly personality that was noticed by everyone. Donna retired from New York Presbyterian Hospital after working as a Physician’s Assistant for over 35 years. She worked in the ambulatory surgery and plastic surgery departments, but her passion was in plastic surgery. Donna was phenomenal and highly respected in her field and often would be called upon to help the student physicians. Donna is survived by her three children: Scott, Melody, and Todd, an older brother, John Scott, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her grandson, Hamilton, who lived nearby, was often at her apartment visiting, going to the store for her when it became too difficult, or trying to keep her spirit up. Donna was loving, kind, charming, and unforgettable. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her and she will continue to inspire us all. Two quotes that our mother always told us (and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren): “treat others the way you wanted to be treated” and “do not compare yourself to others because for always there will be greater and lesser persons than you.”