Nicholas James Clarke

Nick Clarke passed away in Calgary, Alberta on Monday, July 15, 2024 at the age of 82 years. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Judith Sheryl (Judy) nee Butler; children, Lisa (Tony) Nyman and James (Dana) Clarke; and grandchildren, Clarke and Gage Nyman and Logan and Ryder Clarke. He was predeceased by his parents, Helen and James (Jim) Clarke of Fernie, British Columbia.

Nick was born on February 14, 1942 in Trail, British Columbia and grew up in Fernie. He followed his high school sweetheart Judy to Calgary in 1961 and joined the Calgary Police Service May 4, 1962. He shared many stories of his time as a downtown beat cop, worked many years in District 2, spent time in Robbery and in Traffic as a motorcycle cop, and truly enjoyed his role as Range Officer for several years. He retired June 1, 1991 after 29 years with the Service. 

Nick enjoyed being outside camping, golfing, taking care of his yard, or just reading a book on the patio. He loved an epic road trip and drove his family across Canada and throughout the United States, to British Columbia for summer vacations, and spent time in retirement as a “snowbird” in California. Nick was a self-taught wood worker making many pieces of furniture, trinket boxes and Christmas decorations for family, friends and colleagues over the years. He was a committed do-it-yourself-er. From maintaining and renovating the house to fixing cars and repairing appliances, he never saw the point of replacing something when he could just spend a bit of time and effort figuring out how to make it work again. He enjoyed watching golf on TV, and anything on the History Channel, and he was both amused and annoyed that it is taking so long to discover the curse of Oak Island.

Nick was a no-nonsense kind of guy and would not hear of anyone telling him what he could not or should not do, as shown by him tuning up and riding his bicycle in the weeks before his passing. 

Nick wasn’t known as the warm and fuzzy type, but would often be caught wiping his eyes because “they were leaking”, especially over the many milestones and achievements of his children and grandchildren. His fierce dedication to Judy, the love of his life and wife of 59 years, was admirable and an inspiration to all.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude to Donna Grove and Betty and John Christensen for their friendship, old-school neighborliness, and support of both Nick and Judy over the past few years, and the staff of Unit 81 at the Rockyview Hospital for their care of, and compassion for, Nick in recent weeks. 

Donations to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, a cause dear to the family, are gratefully accepted in lieu of flowers.

Details regarding a Celebration of Nick’s life will be shared at a later date.