SOUTHERN BROOKLYN — Bay Ridge civic leader and public servant James Clark died on July 17.He was 87 years old.
Clark was born to Mary and John Clark in Bay Ridge on Sept. 11, 1938. He attended Our Lady of Angels and LaSalle Academy.
Basil Capetanakis, left, and Jim Clark in front of the Bay Ridge Manor. Photo: Eagle Urban Media/File
In 1961, he joined the NYPD and was later assigned to the 68th precinct, where he became the community affairs officer.After retiring from the NYPD in 1984, Clark joined Flood Company Real Estate as vice president and general manager.
Clark was vice president with the Fifth Avenue Board of Trade, a private organization of business owners focused on improving sanitation, security and capital advancements in the neighborhood. In addition, he was president of the Bay Ridge Real Estate Board, Bay Ridge-Bensonhurst Multiple Listing Services and the Brooklyn Board of Realtors.
Clark was a “big chief” of the 12:30 Club of Bay Ridge and a charter member and secretary of the Colonial Club. He was a charter member of the Ragamuffin Parade and vice president and a merit badge counselor with the Boy Scouts of America–Brooklyn Council.
Clark with Community Board 10 District Manager Josephine Beckmann. Photo: Josephine Beckmann
Clark created the Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District with his friend Basil Capetanakis and was named president in 2007.
Friends and local leaders responded to his death and the impact he had on the community.
“Jim Clark was a dedicated public servant whose impact on Bay Ridge spanned decades,” said Elizabeth Lovejoy, executive director of the Fifth Avenue BID. “As one of the founding members of the Bay Ridge Fifth Avenue BID, he played an instrumental role in helping shape and strengthen our commercial corridor. His commitment to the neighborhood extended far beyond the BID.”
Clark remained involved with the community in his final days and was a charter member and secretary of the Colonial Club, a member of the Bay Ridge Lions Club and a volunteer at St. Andrew the Apostle Roman Catholic Church.
Clark presenting an award to Beckmann. Photo: Josephine Beckmann
Clark had been involved with the Boy Scouts since the 1950s, later serving as a scoutmaster for over 20 years before taking on leadership roles within the Brooklyn Council of the Boy Scouts of America, including vice president and program chair.
“Jim was a tireless advocate for Bay Ridge, always willing to lend his time, expertise and leadership to causes that benefited the community,” Lovejoy said. “He had a remarkable ability to bring people together and was deeply respected by residents, business owners and civic leaders alike. His passing leaves a tremendous void, but his legacy of service, dedication and community spirit will continue to be felt throughout Bay Ridge for generations to come. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.”
Clark was also recognized with awards. He was the recipient of the prestigious Silver Beaver Award for distinguished volunteer service.
Jim Clark with Elizabeth Lovejoy, BID Vice President Joseph Sollecito and BID President Essa Masoud. Photo: Bay Ridge Fifth Avenue BID
District Manager of Community Board 10 Josephine Beckmann also recalled memories of Clark.
“Jim was a remarkable civic leader and community volunteer whose legacy will continue for generations,” she said. “Jim was simply the best of the best. His guidance and perseverance with local leaders and merchants were the guiding force needed to gather support for the Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District. He continued to be active and attend Fifth Avenue BID meetings and I saw him a few months ago at their most recent BID meeting. He always had a smile and interest in neighborhood happenings. I am grateful for all he taught me over the years. He will be missed.”
While in office, former Councilmember Vincent Gentile collaborated with Clark to form the BID.
“I worked closely with Jim over a period of time to pass City Council legislation that would establish in law the creation and funding of the Fifth Avenue BID,” Gentile told the Brooklyn Eagle. “After much work, we were successful, and the Fifth Avenue BID was created. I called Jim from City Hall to tell him the good news, and when he answered, he told me he was on some lake in Maryland in a canoe fishing with the Boy Scouts. Yet, when he heard the news, Jim told me he still did a happy dance right in the canoe. Truly, Bay Ridge has lost one of the good guys in Jim Clark.”
Clark was a husband to Joanne, a father of five, a grandfather and a great-grandfather.
His wake will be held at Clavin Funeral Home, 7722 Fourth Ave., on July 24 from 4 to 8 p.m. Funeral Mass will take place the following day at St. Andrew the Apostle, 6713 Ridge Blvd., at 9:30 a.m.
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