RIP Brian E Clarke
The funeral of recently deceased member Brian Clarke took place at Masonhill Crematorium on Friday 1st June 2018. Brian joined the Rotary Club of Ayr in 1993 and became President in its 75th Anniversary year of 2006. The character of the man is evident in these words from his message in the Club’s Anniversary Bulletin of that year: “Anniversaries are important——- they are personal and bring joy, laughter and pleasant memories. Rotary is what gets us to do what we do best and to enjoy doing them”.
Brian had a distinguished career in the Royal Navy, serving during the Falklands war. As Flight Lieutenant Commander he managed operations from aircraft carrier HMS Hermes.
Back home he held several posts including with RN Gannet in Prestwick and in International Service when a container of wheelchairs was shipped to Istanbul for distribution to communities in that area. Brian and his wife Margaret joined Muir and Jean Austin to visit their opposite numbers in Turkey on delivery of the wheelchairs! He was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship in May 2012 for exceptional service to the community and to the wider Rotary movement.
Whenever members were asked to help in particular tasks (for example on the Ayrshire Coastal Path) then,whatever the job, Brian was invariably the first to volunteer. Active and sporty, his interests included running, golfing, curling and generally keeping fit.
Happy, likeable, willing and kind are all adjectives that others have used to describe Brian. Most of us would be very happy to be so remembered.
RIP Brian.
