Brian Cole Clarke passed away on January 5, 2024. Brian was born in Yonkers, NY on December 13, 1946, and spent his childhood in Dalton, Massachusetts with his parents and two brothers. He was a graduate of Williston Academy and earned a BS in engineering from the University of Massachusetts in 1969. He joined the United States Army ROTC program during his time at UMASS and subsequently served as a 2nd Lieutenant from 1969 to 1971 where he was deployed to Korea during the Vietnam War.
Brian had a successful engineering and business career, landing as the President of Sensor Engineering in Hamden, Connecticut. He obtained his MBA from the University of New Haven in 1985. Early on, his engineering career followed his automotive interests where he assisted in developing after-market automotive performance parts. His business career led him to many opportunities through several states and industries from Connecticut, Virginia, and Michigan before he ultimately retired and eventually moved to Johnson City, TN.
Brian married Judith Bowe in 1974 and raised their only child in East Haddam, CT enjoying the outdoor space, woodworking shop, and family time the property offered. Brian had many passions in his life and was not afraid of hard work and challenges. Early in life, he raced cars and revisited that passion when Raybestos needed a test driver through his work at Sensor Engineering. He won the SCCA World Challenge – T1 Rookie of the Year in 1996 and raced on numerous cup circuit tracks across the US – often taking his daughter with him to be part of the pit crew. He took ski trips with his friends, brothers, and daughter all across the United States. He enjoyed felling trees, woodworking, and the game of golf his entire life. In retirement, he continued his hobbies of woodworking and golfing and learned guitar. As a dog lover, he enjoyed the company of a good, faithful dog. Ultimately he was known as a very intelligent, kind, and generous man who often asked, “what can I do for you.”
Brian is preceded in death by his parents, Stephen ’40 and Lillian Winifred Clarke. He is survived by his wife Judith and daughter Nicole Henderson (husband Stephen), granddaughter Kelsey, and two brothers James ’68 (wife Annette) and David (wife Joan), as well as two nieces and two nephews. He leaves behind friends in many states and will be greatly missed. There will be a family celebration of life later in 2024.
