Joseph C. Clarkson, Sr., of Sellersville, formerly a longtime resident of Lansdale, went home to the Lord, Wednesday, October 29, 2014, after a heroic battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
He was the beloved husband of Charlotte “Rusty” (Strysko) Clarkson for 65 years. Joe was born in Atlantic City to Walter Clarkson and Margaret (McCann) Clarkson.
Joe grew up in Pleasantville, NJ. As one of America’s greatest generation, Joe entered the US Navy to serve his loved ones and country after graduating from Holy Spirit High School in Atlantic City at 17 years old.
Joe proudly served his country as a tail gunner aboard Redwing, a US Navy PB4Y-2 Privateer patrol bomber in the Pacific. The mission was to disrupt Japanese maritime operations by coming in just above the surface of the ocean and skip bombing enemy targets of opportunity. Joe was proud of the fact that Redwing carried and used one of the first radar guided weapons called the “Bat Bomb.” Joe shared his experience often to his loved ones and kept in touch with his former crew members throughout his life.
After the war Joe met and married Charlotte and together they raised five boys.
Joe used the G.I. Bill to go to Drexel University and gained a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He was employed for a long time with Philco-Ford and it’s successors. Joe switched gears in the mid-seventies and became a western US regional sales manager for Capitol Controls, a manufacturer of Chlorination equipment for water treatment systems. Capital Controls was later acquired by Severn-Trent where Joe retired after a very rewarding career.
After his retirement Joe, never one to rest, continued his career by forming and operating C and A Consultants, advising and helping others with water treatment systems.
Joe enjoyed reading about history, especially about the war in the Pacific. He was an avid gardener especially enjoying planting and canning his tomatoes. Joe especially enjoyed traveling with Charlotte to Maui. They spent many happy moments together enjoying the sun and snorkeling. Joe especially loved spending time with his family, always taking his time to lend an ear to help them through a crisis. He especially loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Charlotte, Joe is survived by his three sons, Gregory and his wife Susan of Valrico, FL, Kevin of Freehold, NJ, and Patrick and his wife, Cynthia, of Sellersville, PA. Joe had four grandchildren, Holly, Alexis, Jonathan and Nikki, and two great grandchildren, Jackson Lee and Benjamin Peter. Joe’s other survivors include his nephew, Tim, and nieces, Joann and Chris. Sadly two of Joseph’s sons, John and Joseph, Jr., preceded him in death, along with his brothers, Wally and Pete.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday morning, October 3, 2014 at 11:00 AM at St. Stanislaus Church, 51 Lansdale Ave., Lansdale, PA. 19446, where the family will greet friends from 10 to 11 AM before Mass. Interment St. Stanislaus Old Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Joseph’s name may be sent to Alzheimer’s Association of Delaware Valley, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA. 19106 or online at www.alz.org.