Educator, school inspector.
Born at Coleraine, Ireland around 1887, he was educated at the Coleraine school where his father was Principal. He graduated from the Marlboro Teachers’ College Dublin in 1913 and emigrated to Canada later that year. He taught school for a short time then, during the First World War, he enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps. After the war, he worked as an education officer in England before returning to Canada in November 1919.
He was Principal of Decker School (1920-1924), Brandon Central School (1924-1928) and Earl Haig School (1928-1929). In 1929, he was appointed a Manitoba School Inspector, serving successively at Miniota, Shoal Lake, and Killarney. In 1947, he was transferred to the staff of the Central Normal School where he worked until 1953. From 1953 to 1960, he was Principal of Victory School in West Kildonan then was on the teaching staff of Talmud Torah for two and a half years.
He and wife Julia (1892-1987) had three children: Kathleen Clarke (wife of James Smith), Peggy Clarke (wife of John Stewart), and Boyd Clarke. He was a member of the Odd Fellows and was Grand Master in 1939-1940. He was a President of the Manitoba School Inspectors Association and a member of the Mentors Club. He was active in junior hockey in each area where he lived.
He died at the Winnipeg General Hospital on 29 October 1972.
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Clarke School No. 2278 (RM of Rossburn)
“Education department makes staff changes,” Winnipeg Free Press, 25 July 1949, page 6.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 30 October 1972, page 27.
Obituary [Julia Clarke], Winnipeg Free Press, 30 October 1987, page 43.
We thank Nathan Kramer and Darryl Toews for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 15 February 2025
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