Our beloved friend Bill Clark, the inspiration for the foundation that now
bears his name, was, among many other wonderful things, a natural-born
coach. He was crazy about how well sportsmanship could work upon the soul
of a young person.
Bill was born and raised in the Bronx, where he attended St. Helena
Elementary School and St. Raymond’s Boys High School. Like so many
alumni of those fine institutions, he was no sooner out of the intramural
basketball program as a player that he was back as a coach and a referee.
He started playing football for the Pelham Bay Spartans while he was still in
grade school, and by the time he had graduated from high school, he was
helping to shape their future as well.
The circle of us who work to honor his memory were blessed to know both
the boy and the man, and we can attest to the fact that from the first, Bill was
destined to be the kind of kid that any coach would want on his team, and the
kind of man that any kid would want for a coach. Bill was quietly strong and
fiercely loyal. He was a student of every aspect of both football and
baseball. He gave his all to everything he did and he offered his team mates
what he offered his friends: every opportunity to shine, and every ounce of
his support.
Shortly after high school, Bill relocated with his family to Nanuet, New York,
where he would meet the love of his life. Dorothy and Bill developed a large
and affectionate circle of friends in Rockland County, but no sooner had Bill
settled into his new neighborhood that he began driving the boys from the
Bronx over the Tappan Zee Bridge. We knew then what we can tell you now:
That Bill had unlimited room in his heart and in his life for friendship.
He was just in his twenties now, but he was already making a lasting
impression upon the lives of young aspiring athletes.
Bill was an ardent fan of the Mets and the Jets, of Bruce Springsteen and
Bob Seeger, of major motion pictures and all-night poker games. He was also
a wonderful companion who put people instantly at ease. He was both willing
and able to state a strong opinion, but he was the most accomplished listener
in a roomful of orators. Bill Clark was a brother to every person with whom
he came into contact and he always put the needs of others before
his own. Those of us who have the privilege of knowing and loving him
would have had him live one hundred years, but we astonished by how much
love, laughter, and goodness he managed to cram into his life and time.
We proceed with the little good we are able to do, and we are ever mindful of
the fact that anyone who benefits from this foundation would have benefited
much more from Bill Clark’s friendship.
bears his name, was, among many other wonderful things, a natural-born
coach. He was crazy about how well sportsmanship could work upon the soul
of a young person.
Bill was born and raised in the Bronx, where he attended St. Helena
Elementary School and St. Raymond’s Boys High School. Like so many
alumni of those fine institutions, he was no sooner out of the intramural
basketball program as a player that he was back as a coach and a referee.
He started playing football for the Pelham Bay Spartans while he was still in
grade school, and by the time he had graduated from high school, he was
helping to shape their future as well.
The circle of us who work to honor his memory were blessed to know both
the boy and the man, and we can attest to the fact that from the first, Bill was
destined to be the kind of kid that any coach would want on his team, and the
kind of man that any kid would want for a coach. Bill was quietly strong and
fiercely loyal. He was a student of every aspect of both football and
baseball. He gave his all to everything he did and he offered his team mates
what he offered his friends: every opportunity to shine, and every ounce of
his support.
Shortly after high school, Bill relocated with his family to Nanuet, New York,
where he would meet the love of his life. Dorothy and Bill developed a large
and affectionate circle of friends in Rockland County, but no sooner had Bill
settled into his new neighborhood that he began driving the boys from the
Bronx over the Tappan Zee Bridge. We knew then what we can tell you now:
That Bill had unlimited room in his heart and in his life for friendship.
He was just in his twenties now, but he was already making a lasting
impression upon the lives of young aspiring athletes.
Bill was an ardent fan of the Mets and the Jets, of Bruce Springsteen and
Bob Seeger, of major motion pictures and all-night poker games. He was also
a wonderful companion who put people instantly at ease. He was both willing
and able to state a strong opinion, but he was the most accomplished listener
in a roomful of orators. Bill Clark was a brother to every person with whom
he came into contact and he always put the needs of others before
his own. Those of us who have the privilege of knowing and loving him
would have had him live one hundred years, but we astonished by how much
love, laughter, and goodness he managed to cram into his life and time.
We proceed with the little good we are able to do, and we are ever mindful of
the fact that anyone who benefits from this foundation would have benefited
much more from Bill Clark’s friendship.
All rights reserved by The Bill Clark Foundation, Inc. Copyright 2012
P.O.Box1617
CARMEL, NY 10512
CARMEL, NY 10512
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