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GREGORY A. CLARK: A Sailor and a Gentleman

 

For months, the shy young Japanese woman working at the snack stand at the United States naval base in Yokohama knew Gregory A. Clark as "pizza man," the name she had given him because he always ordered the same thing.

It was the summer of 1987, and by the time that fall came, they had begun dating. Eventually, the handsome petty officer second class left the Navy and the couple married, moved to New Jersey and had four children, who are now between the ages of 5 and 11. Mr. Clark, 40, was a computer technician for Cantor Fitzgerald.

Yuka Clark, the shy young woman who is now his widow, has written him a letter: "Gregory, you were like an angel. You always made people feel so warm with your kindness and thoughtfulness, wherever you went. You rarely demanded for yourself; you were like a selfless saint. You had so much class and you were a true gentleman and you made us feel so proud. You loved children so much and gave and gave endlessly. Your smile and happy memories will never be forgotten. You will live in our hearts forever and ever."

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From "Profiles in Grief" of The New York Times