'His loss is immeasurable': Portsmouth and NH leaders pay tribute to Dr. Geoffrey Clark
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PORTSMOUTH — Community leaders and elected officials across New Hampshire are remembering the late Dr. Geoffrey Clark, a gastroenterologist, pharmaceutical entrepreneur and philanthropist hailing from the Port City who died last weekend.
Longtime husband to Martha Fuller Clark, a former state representative and state senator from the city who now serves as first vice chairperson of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, Geoffrey Clark died on Saturday, Jan. 7. He was 84 years old.
The Clarks, married in 1971, moved to Portsmouth two years later and established themselves as stalwarts in the Seacoast. Throughout their union, the two collectively served on dozens of boards and organizations, with Dr. Clark, who grew up in Rhode Island and earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard, serving on the boards for Ballet New England, Families First, the Greater Piscataqua Community Foundation, the Music Hall and Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, among others.
The Clarks served as honorary campaign chairs on behalf of Families First’s public capital campaign to support the nonprofit community health center’s move to a new facility on Greenleaf Woods Drive. In April 2021, during a visit to the site before Families First officially moved into its new home, the two spoke to the Portsmouth Herald about the health center’s importance and its availability to anyone regardless of their ability to pay.
Dr. Clark, who obtained his medical degree from the University of Buffalo, said at the time that Families First provides “absolutely essential services” to community members and was “very much needed in the community.”
More:Families First getting new home for nonprofit health care. It needs your help.
“One thing I think people sometimes don’t appreciate is that Families First is for all members of the community,” he told the Portsmouth Herald.
State Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka, a Democrat from Portsmouth who won election to Fuller Clark’s seat in 2020 when the latter retired after seven terms in the New Hampshire Senate, fondly remembered the couple’s partnership and Dr. Clark’s care for his wife.
“It was an amazing partnership to have in the Seacoast,” she said.
In the lead-up to the Democratic primary prior to the 2020 election, in which she squared off against then-Portsmouth City Councilor Deaglan McEachern, Perkins Kwoka and Fuller Clark would sit on the Clarks’ back porch and talk. Every so often, she remembered, Dr. Clark would emerge from their home to check on his wife, asking if she wanted any tea or needed him to do anything for her.
“Geoff and Martha were such positive mentors for me and I'll always be grateful for the support they’ve shown me,” Perkins Kwoka added. “It was such a small piece of all the work they’ve done for so many. I just know they've personally touched so many people.”
Like many, McEachern, now Portsmouth’s mayor, reacted to the news of Dr. Clark’s passing on social media, writing: “Portsmouth lost a leader on Saturday.”
“Dr. Geoffrey Clark worked tirelessly to make life in our community better,” he wrote. “His loss is immeasurable and on behalf of the city of Portsmouth we send our condolences to his beloved wife Martha and their children Caleb, Anna and Than.”
New Hampshire Democratic Party chairperson Ray Buckley, when announcing news of Dr. Clark’s death, spoke of an indelible impact that he made on the Granite State.
“Dr. Clark was one of the most interesting, kindest, most generous people I’ve ever met,” Buckley said. “He’s well-respected and is accomplished in a variety of fields, and he will forever be remembered in New Hampshire. He’s left an ever-lasting mark on the Granite State, in the political world and far, far beyond.”
Current leaders within the New Hampshire Senate on both sides of the aisle paid tribute to Dr. Clark in the days following news of his death.
State Sen. Donna Soucy of Manchester, the body’s Democratic leader, said, “Jeff led an incredibly inspiring life making invaluable contributions to the world of healthcare and science. Jeff will be remembered for his quick wit, keen intellect, generosity, and his love and devotion to Senator Fuller Clark. His passing has left a hole in our community that cannot be filled. The Senate Democratic Caucus is keeping Senator Fuller Clark and her family in our thoughts.”
State Sen. Jeb Bradley, a Wolfeboro Republican and the party’s leader in the body, additionally offered his own condolences to the Clark family.
“I am sad to hear of the passing of Geoffrey Clark," he said. “Dr. Clark was one of Portsmouth’s most active public servants for the past 50 years.”
Sympathies over Dr. Clark’s death have come in from some of the highest levels of political office in New Hampshire, with former United States Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, her successor and current Rep. Chris Pappas, and U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, all Democrats, sharing remarks in his memory.
The doctor by training never wavered in his care for others, said Shaheen, who noted he remained a steadfast advocate for the issues that mattered most to him.
“Geoffrey was a pillar in the community as a fierce advocate on issues that have made New Hampshire a better place for all of our families. He fought to preserve our community spaces and historic buildings in Portsmouth, build and support a more sustainable environment for future generations and foster an inclusive society for all of our neighbors,” she said. “I appreciated his guidance over the years and his continued support to rightfully keep these issues front and center.”
In 2017, the Clarks were presented the Eileen D. Foley Award from Friends Forever International, a nonprofit headquartered in Durham that develops youth leaders to foster world peace.
The award, established to recognize people striving to make the world a better place, was bestowed upon the couple along with an engraved bottle of olive oil from Battir, Palestine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On hand to celebrate the Clarks’ volunteerism were Foley’s daughter, Mary Carey Foley, daughter in-law Suzanne Foley, and granddaughter Eileen Foley.
Looking out at a crowd of 200-plus people after accepting the honor, Dr. Clark said, “It’s much more fitting for us to thank all of you who work day in and day out to make our society a better place.”
A profile of Dr. Clark written by Friends Forever International gives several tidbits about his life, interests and volunteer work. Dr. Clark was a documentary filmmaker, a sailing lover and a pilot since he was 16 years old.
In her own remembrance, Tanna Clews, chief executive officer of the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation, where Fuller Clark used to serve as a board chairperson, added that Dr. Clark was a writer, environmentalist, producer, social justice advocate and a feminist.
Clews continued that the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation would be honoring Dr. Clark and his life in the months to come.
“On a personal note, Jeff was one of my most favorite people in the world,” she said. “I am blessed to have had his friendship, guidance and mentorship for more than twenty years. His persistent support of me over more than two decades helped shape who I am today. His death leaves a huge hole in his family, community and the state of New Hampshire.”
One of the most recent prominent public events the Clarks attended together occurred in March of last year, as scores of political leaders and friends of the couple turned out to celebrate Fuller Clark’s 80th birthday in style at the Sheraton in Portsmouth.
More:'She leaves a legacy': Martha Fuller Clark, a NH political icon, recognized for her work
The state’s entire congressional delegation was on hand to celebrate the state political fixture, and the event was headlined by Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the night’s keynote speaker.
In a room full of Fuller Clark’s biggest admirers, Dr. Clark doted on his wife, blowing her a kiss and praising her for her contributions to New Hampshire politics.
"She has never been shy or afraid to speak her mind,” he said at the event. “Those who know Martha knows she looks for opportunities to work with anyone, on any issue important to her. She learns all the time. Who would have thought that a woman with a degree in art history could become such an expert in the working of the public utilities commission?"
"Martha, I am so very proud of you,” he told her.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth and New Hampshire leaders pay tribute to Dr. Geoffrey Clark
