Thursday, January 11, 2018
A Eulogy in print Richard Clancy April 12, 1935 – January 6, 2017 In the social work arena, there is a saying that goes, “Meet the client where they’re at.” That is what made Richard Clancy a master grandfather. He had the ability to relate to his granddaughters at every age because he stopped to listen, to observe. And so when they spoke, either during a walk or on our rocking chair front porch, at the dinner table, in the car… the conversation was easy; it was real. Fire department chaplain, Dr. Harry Carter, said the same in his eulogy. He said, and I paraphrase here as this is from memory, that he was always glad when Dick showed up at the scene of a fire, because he had a summary of observations he had already made. It’s likely that those were some of the same skills that made him a good plumber. That perhaps and the genes. I am sure although I didn’t know him then, that he had the shiniest shoes in the army barracks. That’s just who he was. Everything in its place, accomplished masterfully and on time. Flowers planted as soon as the weather would allow gave birth to vibrant color in his yard. Leaves raked before they hit the ground and snow cleared to allow easy egress to whatever presented itself next, be it a fire, a plumbing emergency, a drive to check the beach erosion after a storm, a look at the aftermath of a fire… He was ready; he was there. Then he couldn’t anymore. And it was time. And his funeral was a testament to who he was and to a life well lived.
