Joseph M. Clark

Joseph M. Clark, 85, of Winthrop, passed away on Friday, July 10, surrounded by his loving family.

Joe was born on June 23, 1941, in Winthrop to John and Elynor (Murphy) Clark. He was the loving husband of Patricia A. (Gibbons) Clark), with whom he shared 65 years of marriage.

He graduated from Winthrop High School in 1959, went on to serve honorably in the National Guard, then began his career serving the town he grew up in and loved, first as a tree climber, then briefly as a police officer, before joining the fire department where he served with distinction until his retirement in 1986, achieving the rank of lieutenant. While serving as an EMT and firefighter, Joe founded Diamond Painting & Construction, later known as Diamond Building Contractors. In later years, he closed his business to take over the position of President and CEO of the Winthrop Federal Credit Union, replacing his father who was the founding charter member. Under his leadership, the credit union flourished and expanded to include members in neighboring towns. In this role, Joe believed passionately about the credit union’s motto of ‘people helping people’ and helped countless members until his retirement in 2011.

Joe’s dedication to his community extended beyond his professional life. He also volunteered on numerous town boards and committees, serving as a Town Meeting Member, a member of the Housing Authority, and the School Committee. He was also a longtime supporter of the Chamber of Commerce, always giving generously of his time and talents to the community he loved so dearly. Committed to lifelong learning, Joe completed Boston College’s Community Leadership Program, bringing those principles back to every aspect of his civic service.

Joe’s lifelong dedication to serving others was rooted in his Catholic faith. As a boy, he served as an altar boy and prayed the Rosary each evening with his parents. He remained a devoted parishioner of Saint John the Evangelist Church, now Saint Michael Parish, throughout his life.

Above all, Joe was devoted to his family. He married his high school sweetheart, Patti, and they raised four children who thoroughly enjoyed their company and often joined them on vacation. Aruba was a favorite destination that he enjoyed to escape the New England winters. The rest of the year, no place brought him greater peace than the family cottage on Sunset Lake in Alton, New Hampshire. Since the early 1970s, it has been a cherished gathering place where generations of family have created lasting memories while enjoying the beauty of the lake and its unforgettable sunsets.

Joe was a voracious reader and lifelong student of history. Whether immersed in one of the many books from his extensive personal library or reading on his well-worn Kindle, he was always eager to learn something new. During his retirement, he found great contentment relaxing in his favorite recliner with a glass of red wine, surrounded by his family, either watching the news and discussing politics, or enjoying the Red Sox or Patriots. He also found simple joy in the company of the family pets and in keeping the bird feeder filled by the pool. Joe will be remembered for his steady presence, optimism, generous heart, quick wit, and unwavering willingness to help anyone who needed him.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia (Gibbons) Clark; his children, Michael Clark and his wife, Darcey (Martin), Deborah Joyce and her husband, Tom, Cathleen Sennott and her husband, George, and James Clark and his wife, Rachel (Gray). He was the proud grandfather of Kimberlee (Frasso) Casey and her husband, Liam; Joseph Frasso; Anna (Fucillo) Gentilello and her husband, William; Richard Fucillo; Sara Fucillo; George Sennott III; Joshua Clark; Christa Clark; Jonah Clark; and Kathryn Clark. He was the cherished great-grandfather of Maura and Callum Casey. He also leaves behind his siblings: Carole Kasper and her husband, Bud; Paul Clark and his wife, Carole; Jack Clark and his wife, Eleanor; Barbara Clark; his brother-in-law, Ed Gleason, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends. Joe was predeceased by his sister, Mary Claire.

The funeral will be conducted from the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home, Winthrop today, Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church, 320 Winthrop St., Winthrop at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with the interment in the Cross Street section of Winthrop Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Joe’s memory to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

To sign the online guestbook, go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.