TORONTO, May 14, 2013 /CNW/ - Joseph A. P. Clark, founding president and CEO of Canada Newswire and well-known Canadian public relations practitioner, died May 10 at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre after a short illness. He was 91.
Loving husband of Patricia (nee Grant); beloved father of Joseph F. (Deborah), Tom (Jane) and Carolyn (Gary); proud grandfather of Joe (V), Emma, Atlee, Jillian, Alex, Kristin, Caileigh and Clark, he is survived by sisters, Pat, Cynthia and Susan.
He was the son of the late Joseph W.G. and Hazel Clark and grew up in the shadow of The Great War and the injustices of The Great Depression. Both shaped his life and beliefs and instilled in him a love and duty to country.
In 1940, Mr Clark enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy and served aboard HMCS Arrowhead and later HMCS Loch Achanault. He finished the war as a Lieutenant-Commander.
In peacetime, he worked with a former Prime Minister, held an executive position at Massey Harris, started his own public relations firm, Tisdall Clark, and was instrumental in the founding of Canada Newswire (CNW) where he served as President & CEO until his retirement in 1987.
Mr Clark loved fly-fishing and tall tales at the Caledon Mountain Trout Club, the brotherhood of Cell 13, and dedicated himself to creating rights and opportunities for the disabled and disadvantaged serving a number of organizations including the Canadian Rehabilitation Foundation.
A celebration of his life will be held at All Saints Anglican Church, King City on Tuesday May 21st at 2 pm. Please visit www.thompsonfh-aurora.com for further information regarding condolences and donations.
Image with caption: "Joseph A. P. Clark, founding president and CEO of Canada Newswire and well-known Canadian public relations practitioner (CNW Group/CNW Group Ltd.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130514_C6657_PHOTO_EN_26668.jpg
SOURCE: CNW Group Ltd.
Joseph F. Clark, (p) 905-726-2526 (c) 416-893-8772
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