Lakeside resident Kenneth John Clarke died suddenly in a local restaurant at the age of 74.
Born July 4, 1938 in Cornwall, England, Clarke graduated as a marine officer from Plymouth and Devonport Nautical College and joined the British Royal Navy. He later joined the British Merchant Marine as a deck officer and became the second officer on the Empress of Canada cruise ship, where he met Lise Godbout, whom he married in 1962.
Clarke went to work for a marine container storage company and soon formed his own company, Conterm Service, in Montreal, Quebec. He later opened branches in Texas and British Columbia. Clarke stayed on as a consultant to the businesses after his retirement.
The Clarkes moved to Ajijic in 1999. Clarke was active with two writers’ groups, one in Ajijic and one in Chapala. He wrote a book, “Seven Years a Mariner,” and his articles were often published in the Ojo del Lago magazine.
He is survived by his wife, Lise, of Ajijic, son Stephen Clarke and his wife Sonia of Montreal, and three grandchildren, Amanda, Jessica and Michael.
Plans for a memorial service are pending.