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Bertie Clark |
Retired publican was ‘a true gent and a one-off character’
POPULAR pensioner Bertie Clark, who was known to thousands across Camden, has died suddenly.
His death has stunned family and friends. The 78-year-old, who lived off Queen’s Crescent, Kentish Town, went into the Royal Free Hospital, in Hampstead, for what he expected were routine checks at the end of December.
He died within days of celebrating 55 years of marriage to his devoted wife Lil.
A former publican and father of seven daughters, Bert, as he was known to his friends, was a “man of many talents”. While serving with the Royal Engineers, he was chosen as one of the squad to form the guard at George VI’s funeral in 1952.
In civvy street, he became host at a local which used to overlook Talacre Gardens.
A family man through and through, Bert found time to breed dogs, budgies and cockatiels. He was a keen pool player, tireless charity worker and an entertainer, crooning evergreen favourites. When a “dicky ticker” forced him into retirement, he discovered a hidden talent for art. He produced portraits, landscapes and seascapes and was particularly proud of his portrait of the Queen. “I knocked it up in acrylics in a couple of hours and it was a pretty good likeness,” he said when his work went on display. Many paintings were donated to charity.
“He was a true gent and a one-off character who will be much mourned and missed,”
said a friend.
Bert’s funeral is on Tuesday at St Dominic’s Church followed by cremation.
DAVID ST GEORGE |
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