Dennis P. Clarke

Dennis P. Clarke, 67, of Hanover Township, had been battling cancer recently, yet died unexpectedly on July 31, 2021 while vacationing in Tennessee.

Born February 14, 1954, in Wilkes-Barre, he was a son of the late James F. and Ann Marie Collins Clarke.

Dennis was a graduate of J.M. Coughlin High School. He earned his degree in Spanish and Education, and a minor in Political Science from King's College, and his MS in Education from Wilkes University.

Dennis retired in 2016 after teaching Spanish at MMI Preparatory School in Freeland for thirty-seven years. He previously taught at Bishop O' Reilly for three years. Throughout his career, he also taught speech and served as moderator for the school Mock Trial programs. He also coached for a few teams, including Softball, Cross-Country and Tennis. Dennis served as president of the local chapter of the Spanish National Honor Society and was a certified ESL instructor.

A longtime member of the Parish of Saint Nicholas, Dennis was very active in parish events through the years. He was a member of the Parish Council and served as a Eucharistic Minister.

His wife, the former Joan Nardone; daughters, Cynthia and her husband John Matosky, Samantha Clarke, and Nicole and her husband Jeff Telson; grandchildren, Abigail and John Dennis Matosky, and Marvin Telson; brothers, Jack and his wife Ginny Clarke of Texas, James and his wife Mary Clarke of Plains, and Richard Clarke and his wife Kathy Charvat of Maryland; sister, Mary Pat and her husband David Cote of Texas; nieces, nephews, other family, and friends will miss him very much.

Celebration of Dennis' Life begins Friday, August 6, 2021, with visitation from 5 to 8 PM at McLaughlin's, 142 South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre and continues there on Saturday with gathering at 11 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at noon in the Church of Saint Nicholas.

Donations to the Parish of Saint Nicholas, 226 S Washington St, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701, or the Mock Trial Fund at MMI, 154 Centre St, Freeland, PA 18224 will honor Dennis' memory.

Share memories and condolences with Dennis' family at www.mjmclaughlin.com