George Clarke Obituary

"I fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7
Suddenly and peacefully, George Bert Clarke entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. George Bert Clarke was the son of the late Leo. G and Irma Williams Clarke, Sr.. He was born on May 3,1931 in New Haven, Connecticut and was the sixth and youngest child in the family. He attended New Haven Public Schools and graduated from Wilbur Cross High School in 1950, then went on to attend Quinnipiac College, where he received an Associate's Degree in Accounting.
At an early age, his father began to groom him for the family business, which inspired him to become a vital figure of Clarke's Window and Janitorial Service, to which he dedicated his entire life to serving the Connecticut community at large.
Through this life experience George became an advocate and spokesperson for equality of others, where he never failed to express his convictions for the equal rights of the minority businesses in the New Haven Community.
George committed his life to serving on many civic boards, such as Urban League of Greater New Haven, Greater New Haven Business and Professional Association, Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Greater New Haven, The Development Commission City of New Haven, Dixwell Plaza Merchants Association, Dixwell Newhallville Mental Health Association, Dwight Community Investment Corporation, Bethel A.M.E. Church Community Outreach Center, Yale-New Haven Hospital Advisory Board, and New Haven Savings Bank Advisory Council.
George joined Bethel A.M.E. Church in his early thirties where he became a lifelong member and served faithfully for over sixty years. Over the years he served as a member of the following auxiliaries at Bethel A.M.E. Church: the Usher Board, Steward Board, Trustee Board, Pastor's Aide, the Coffee And... which was held every Sunday morning by George, the Annual Men's Day Breakfast, the Annual Super Bowl Party, and The Sons of Allen Men's Choir.
Among his service to the church, George was one of the 3 founders of the Gospelite Choir who were George Clarke, Dr. Gertrude Sparks, and Deloris Walker. He never failed to miss a choir rehearsal until he began to suffer with ill health. Everyone looked forward to the poems that George wrote for each Annual Gospelite Choir Anniversary.
George loved sweets! Pancakes with lots of butter and syrup. He loved milk with ice in it and he always looked forward to milkshakes, strawberry preferred and if not, vanilla. His favorite pound cake was made by Mrs. Eloise Parks each month and he loved Sister Martha Miller's dinner rolls.
George leaves to mourn his beloved devoted wife, Barbara; one son, Rasool Ahmed (Gwen); two stepdaughters, Diane Streater (Walter) and Annette Sternberger (Lutz); and two stepsons, Rodney Huff (Belinda) and Richard Huff of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also survived by fifteen grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; two great great-grandchildren; and many relatives and friends.
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