White River Junction, VT – Albert H. Clark, 85, died in the early morning of Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. Al was born in Norwalk, CT on September 25, 1938, to parents Frederick and Marie (Gilbert) Clark and grew up in Georgetown, CT. Georgetown was always home to Al, and he soon welcomed siblings to the family, serving as the calm and dependable oldest brother. After high school, Al embarked on a career in fabrication and machining, working for more than 26 years with Perkin-Elmer, a precision optics and instrument company, rising through the ranks to become the superintendent of fabrication. He was especially proud of his work as part of the team working on the Hubble Telescope. He served for twelve years as a proud member of the CT National Guard.

He was also a member of the Pootatuck Archers and nearly every Sunday participated in friendly tournaments; one such Sunday, he met Gail Stevens, a fellow archer. After a short courtship, they married in 1982 and moved to Vermont. Together they hand built a beautiful log cabin they named 'Southwind' in Bridgewater, cutting, bleaching, and assembling each log carefully. He was a skilled turkey and bow hunter, even making his own arrows. They joyfully lived there, off the grid, hosting friends and family nearly every weekend for more than 30 years until they decided that it was time to downsize and move to White River Junction.

During Al's time in Vermont, he seized an opportunity that led to his reputation as a premier vintage Bentley restorer and fabricator. The opportunity presented itself as an ad for a 'mechanical gadgeteer,' and soon he was surrounded with boxes containing the parts of a 1932 Bentley. As he cataloged, restored, and assembled, he also fabricated parts that were either missing or no longer available. In the end, the Bentley was restored to beautiful and pristine condition and his reputation was made. He enjoyed the friendships he made in the community and his membership in the Bentley Drivers' Club.

He is survived by his wife Gail Clark of White River Junction; four children Rick Clark and wife Beverly of Newtown, CT, Brenda Clark-Eckes of Largo, FL, David Clark and wife Joy of Winchester, NH, and Laura Clark of Clearwater, FL; bonus children Jack and Melissa Perkins and their children Jake and Emily of Hartland, VT; two siblings Robert Clark and Donna Matula, both of CT; six grandchildren Gabriel, Robert, Michael, Aley, Bradley, and Mallory; great grandchildren, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father Frederick Clark, his mother and stepfather Marie and John Clark, and four siblings John Clark, Judy Ralston, Judy Ogrinc, and Sheila Mealia.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, starting at 2pm and concluding with a Memory Sharing Service at 3pm at Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction, VT. Memorial donations are appreciated to the Alzheimer's Association or Tunnels to Towers. Online condolences may be expressed at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.