Rev'd. Canon John Colin Clarke

The Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas and The Turks Caicos Islands is mourning the loss of the Rev'd. Canon John Colin Clarke who passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, 20 August, 2016 at Doctors Hospital. He was 75 years old.

The diocese offered condolences to and prayers for his wife, Florinda, his children, Elizabeth, Michael, Miriam and Andrew, his grandchildren Shaniece, Ife, Traice, Justin, Jordan, Philip and Azaria, his siblings, the parish families of St. James and St. George, N.P., and all those who mourn.

"We thank God for his life and ministry as we mourn his sudden passing," the diocese said in press release.

The following information has been provided from family memoirs:

John Colin Clarke was born in Nassau on the Eastern Road on November 7, 1940 to James and Elizabeth Clarke. Tragedy struck young John's life early as his mother died during childbirth. He was then raised by Ms. Ethel Cooper, his grandmother. He was a real "Fox Hill Boy" and grew up in St. Anne's Church.

Young John obtained his formative education at St. Anne's High School, New Providence. He then attended St. Aidan's Theological College, Liverpool, England (1962-1965). Prior to seminary, on Sundays, he would often ride from the east to the west, to assist with evensong at St. James Parish Adelaide, New Providence.

He was ordained to the Diaconate in June, 1965, at St. Chad's Kirby Parish Church, Cheshire, England, by Bishop Lawrence of Warrington. Upon returning to The Bahamas in 1965, he was posted to Christ Church Cathedral and became the first black Bahamian on staff. In June, 1966, on the feast of The Holy Trinity, he was ordained to the priesthood. While attached to the cathedral, and having studied clinical psychology at St. Aidan, he began a pastoral ministry at Princess Margaret Hospital. There he met and fell in love with Nurse Florinda Archer. They were married in 1967.

Ministry assignments
1967-1970 - Parish priest, St. Philip's Parish, Matthew Town, Inagua. It was while at St. Philip's that he initiated the ecumenical movement among the churches in Inagua, and was responsible for the purchase of the house which serves as the present rectory.

1970-1975 - Parish priest, St. Stephen's Parish, Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama. While in Grand Bahama, Fr. John was also one of the founding members of the Grand Bahama Christian Council. As he had done in Inagua, he initiated the ecumenical movement among the churches in the Eight Mile Rock Community.

1975-1977 - Succeeded Bishop Donald Knowles as parish priest of St. Margaret's Parish, New Providence.

1977-1984 - Co-rector of St. Anne's Parish, New Providence, and served as Anglican chaplain at Her Majesty's Prison. While at St. Anne's he was instrumental in the formation of the mixed choir.

1984-2000 - Officially appointed prison chaplain at H.M. Prison, New Providence. During his time as prison chaplain he was part of the initial dialogue to recommend, upgrade, and promote from within the prison staff. He initiated Prison Officers' Week, and was instrumental in providing the extension of social interactions between inmates and their children.

2001-2006 - Priest in charge, St. Margaret's Parish, North Andros.

2006 - Canon John retired.

After his retirement, Canon John assisted in various parishes, was still very active in ministry, and was always willing to serve, particularly in the parishes of St. George and St. James, New Providence. He continued that ministry each week.

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