Stephen Clarke, 93, passed away January 29, 2015 at Bloom at Bluffton after a long illness.

Stephen was born in NYC 08/14/1921 to James Alfred and Anne Clarke.

Steve served in the Navy during WWII in the South Pacific as a plane commander (LtCmdr) flying the wounded from the islands back to the states.

Married in 1946 to Lillian Winifred Cole. They moved to Dalton, Ma in 1947 and had 3 sons Brian, James and David.

Steve spent 37 years in the commercial and fine paper industry in sales, marketing, merchandising and product design; Crane & Co., Excelsior Printing & Engraving, Eaton Paper Co. and CPS Industries. Steve was also active in community activities; VP and Board member Wahconah Country Club, President Community Chest, President Berkshire Mental Health, President Dalton Youth Center, and a Director of YMCA.

He was an accomplished athlete and coach/teacher as he had in depth understanding of the sports and mechanics of each coupled with a skillful manner of communicating with his pupils. He was an Organizer and coach of the Dalton Pee Wee Football League and coach for Babe Ruth Baseball.

After retiring and moving to Hilton Head in 1985, Steve remained active with the Professional Umpires Tennis Association, designed and built custom clubs for handicapped individuals and was selected as area coordinator for Southeast Guide Dogs Inc. Steve and Winnie brought IMPACT (Inmates Providing Animal Care and Training) to the Ridgeland Correctional Facility in Ridgeland, SC in 1996. Since then 60 puppies have been raised enriching the lives of many handicapped people. He will be missed by many on the island for his unselfish willingness to help anyone, along with his skillful gentle manner handling dogs.

He is survived by his wife Winnie, 3 sons & their wives Brian & Judy (TN), Jim & Annette (NY) and Dave & Joan (NJ), 4 grandchildren Allison (NY), Nicole (PA), Matt (CO), Chris (NY), 4 great grandchildren Kelsey (PA), Reese (CO), Peter (NY) and Matthew (NY) and his brother David (FL).