Charles D. Clarke

Waltham - Mr. Charles D. 'Bud' Clarke, of Ashby, formerly of Waltham, died Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Florida. He was 84. Bud was born in Middle River, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia on January 13, 1925, a son of the late Daniel A. and Catherine (MacRae) Clarke. After finishing high school Bud earned his captain's papers to navigate inland waters in and around Cape Breton and became a ferry boat captain at an early age. He and his wife, Dolly K. 'Kaye' (Budge) Clarke, a one room schoolhouse teacher, were married on August 19, 1950 in Saint Andrew's Church in Neils Harbour, Nova Scotia. Bud and Kaye settled in New Campbellton, Nova Scotia after having lived a short time in Cape Dauphin. Bud is going to be remembered most for having spent more than fifty-nine happy years with Kaye. They worked hard together and enjoyed life together . . . a simple life shared by family, friends, card games and board games. Bud was known as the family 'Scrabble' champion. Bud's work as a ferry boat captain in Cape Breton came to an end when the government built the Route 105 causeway bridge connecting the islands separated by the inland waters. In 1961 Bud and Kaye moved the family to Waltham where he became a truck driver for Lopez Trucking of Waltham where he worked until his retirement 22 years ago. After that, the couple spent many memorable and enjoyable summers at their cottage in Ashby and winters in Satellite Beach, along Florida's warm east coast. In addition to his wife, Bud leaves his children, Alfred J. 'A.J.' Clarke and his wife, Sandy, James G. Clarke and his wife, Kathy, Debra J. Auld and her husband, James, and Charles D. 'Boxer' Clarke and his wife, Judi, all of Waltham; his grandchildren, Jimmy, Danielle, Jill, Cassie, Kara and Travis Clarke, Laura, Elizabeth, Patricia, Abby and Julie Auld and Meghan Martin and her husband, Chris; his great-grandchildren, Isobel, Margaret, Emma and Lilly; his sister, Margaret MacLean of Cape Dauphin, Nova Scotia and many nieces and nephews. Bud's only brother, Flight Lieutenant Alfred J. Clarke, RCAF, died during World War II. Family and friends will honor and remember Bud's life by gathering for calling hours on Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham and again at 10 a.m. on Monday morning in Newton Presbyterian Church, 75 Vernon Street, Newton where his funeral service will be held. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.