Medway & Millis February 2020

February 2020 Medway & Millis Local Town Pages www.localtownpages.com Page 23
Sports
Dignity, Integrity & Character
Defined Kevin Clark’s Life
By KEN HAMWEY,
Staff Sports Writer
Kevin Clark personified integrity,
dignity and high character,
he strived for excellence, was
humble and had a great sense of
humor. His life was devoted to
influencing so many people in
such positive ways. Those attributes
left lasting impressions and
were emphasized to a crowd of
500 at a celebration of life service
at St. Joseph’s Parish Hall for the
Medway High teacher and coach
who passed away at 71 on Dec.
7, 2019.
Clark taught health and physical
education and he coached
football and basketball at Medway
High. Married for 44 years,
he was the father of three sons
and a grandfather to seven. A
Needham High graduate, he
earned his bachelor’s degree
from Plymouth State College
and got his masters from Cambridge
College.
Although he loved teaching
and coaching (the Medway High
gymnasium was named for him
in 2007), he embraced camping,
hiking and history. He and his
wife Gwen managed to visit 46
states.
Following are comments from
speakers at the Dec. 28 service in
Medway and from others who
knew and admired his values.
DAVE McSWEENEY, a Medway
police lieutenant, played for
Clark from 1978-1980 and later
coached as his assistant for five
years. He labeled Clark as “an
iconic figure who exemplified integrity
and character and strived
for perfection.’’ He compared
his mentor to three legendary
pro coaches — Vince Lombardi,
Bill Belichick and George Allen.
“Lombardi demanded discipline
and Clark did, too, and they both
got it from their players because
of repetition. And, both knew
how to build confidence in their
players. Kevin’s preparation
lined up with Belichick’s. Both
had their players ready. Allen
coached the Redskins and he
was paranoid, always thinking
that someone was spying on his
A crowd of about 500 came to see off Kevin Clark, for whom the
Medway High School gymnasium was named in 2007, in his late
December memorial service. Submitted photo.
team. Kevin also was paranoid
and often had me checking who
was watching our practices.’’ Mc-
Sweeney ended his remarks by
emphasizing that “Clark’s legacy
will live on forever.’’
DAVE McMURRAY, a high
school friend, related several
humorous stories about his
classmate but touched those attending
with these words: “I wear
my tears for Kevin proudly. He
loved life and he was the happiest
person I knew. He was sincerely
interested in all the people he
knew.’’
JEFF PIKE, who played football
for Clark and later coached
on his staff, revealed that he and
Clark were not only good friends,
but also passionate about Civil
War history. “Kevin spoke eyeto-eye
to your soul,’’ Pike said.
“He could be firm and gentle at
the same time, and he was always
supportive.’’
BRIAN CLARK mentioned that
his father often said: “It’s a great
day to be alive.’’ That’s because
he loved so many activities. “Although
he loved coaching, he
also loved history and the outdoors,’’
Brian said. “And, he
relished going to our daughters’
dance recitals. He was at his best
as a grandfather.’’
JEFF CLARK noted that his father,
who coached for 39 years,
set high standards. “He coached
us in youth sports, and he was the
model of selflessness,’’ Jeff said.
“His players’ efforts mattered to
him. He had a tremendous sense
of humor, and his life was complete.’’
CHRIS CLARK mentioned that
his father once wrote a letter to
him, and the words were quite
poignant. “The letter emphasized
that “things worth doing
don’t come easy and anything is
possible, because there’s only one
of you.’’
MIKE LAIRD, pastor at the New
England Chapel in Franklin,
pointed out so many of Clark’s
plusses. “I knew Kevin for about
seven years but it was obvious
he influenced so many people,’’
Rev. Laird said. “He had an oldschool
ethic. Integrity was important
to him, and he had character
and patience. The Medway High
gym was named for him, but he
never displayed any arrogance
because of that. He never held a
grudge and never got angry. He
was committed to prayer, loved
God and loved people.’’
GREG HANDEL, an elder at
New England Chapel, read
a poem, “The Man in the
Glass,’’ and revealed that Clark
was strong in his faith. Handel
quoted scripture when concluding
his remarks about Clark. He
said: “Well done, good and faithful
servant.’’
GWEN CLARK thanked those
attending and praised everyone
who helped her deal with losing
her husband. “Kevin knows that
all of you reached out to me and
our family,’’ she said. “You all
mean something to me and we
all know that Kevin died a happy
man.’’
JACK O’ROURKE, Millis High’s
defensive coordinator, emphasized
that Clark “was a kind, terrific
guy who coached sports but
taught life.’’ O’Rourke recalled
the words of his niece’s husband,
Jeff Watson, who played for Clark
and was the MVP of the Millis-
Medway Thanksgiving Day
game his senior year. “Clark told
Jeff that when you point a finger
at someone, three other fingers
come back at you,’’ O’Rourke
noted. “Jeff taught his two children
that lesson.’’
HARRY ROMSEY, former Medway
High volleyball coach who
won five State championships,
labeled Clark as “hard-working
and loyal.’’ He also said that
Clark had a special relationship
with those he coached. “Kevin
loved the kids he coached and
they loved him.”
ROB PEARL, former athletic
director at Medway High, knew
Clark as a coach and a teacher to
his children. Pearl, who was the
master of ceremonies when the
high school gym was dedicated
to Clark, said: “Kevin was my
mentor, a big help when I transitioned
to the A.D. job. He had
integrity and was respected by
the kids.’’
JOE HANLON, who coached
football and also served as Medway
High’s assistant principal,
lauded Clark because “he was
easy to like, a lot of fun and so
positive.’’
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