BANGOR AND WINTER HAVEN, FL – Frederick E. Clarke Jr., 72, a retired Bangor Police Captain, passed away on July 19, 2014. Fred was born on October 3, 1941, in Westbrook, the son of Frederick E. and Harriet (O’Reilly) Clarke.
Fred grew up in Machias and graduated from Bangor High School, where he lettered in football and track, and was an officer in the JROTC program. He married his sweetheart, Dianne. He had an Associate Degree from the University of Maine and was a U.S. Navy veteran. During his career with the police department, he and his partner, Fred Bryant, were two of the original narcotics officers in the state, where together they accounted for the first major infiltration into the illicit drug trade in the State of Maine. Fred was a graduate of the FBI National Academy and past president of the New England chapter of National Academy Graduates. He also attended the BNDD (DEA) Narcotics officers training academy in Washington D.C. and returned to that institution as an assistant instructor/councilor at the request of that agency. Fred worked as a patrol officer, narcotics officer and detective. Upon his promotion to Detective Lieutenant, he instituted the upgrading of the detective division, which resulted in the Bangor Police Dept becoming the first city in the state to be responsible for the investigations of homicides committed in the city, which previously had been assigned to the Maine State Police. Fred also graduated from the Babson College Command Training Institute, the Southern Police Institute of homicide investigations, Secret Service Dignitary Protection School, Washington D.C., and numerous other training courses. He was trained and certified as a Forensic Hypnotist, successfully using this technique in several criminal cases, one of which resulted in the arrest and conviction of a serial rapist. Fred was also appointed as Director of the Division of Special Investigations for the Department of Public Safety for the State of Maine. Fred received numerous commendations, including one from the Director of the FBI for his participation in the arrest of one of the top ten most wanted.
Upon retiring from the police department, Fred became the Director of Safety for Cole’s Express. Subsequently, he returned to law enforcement, spending seven plus years as a criminal investigator for the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department. Fred then accepted a position as a fraud investigator with the Maine Employers Mutual Insurance Co., after ten years with this company, he was forced to retire due to illness.
Fred was a charter member of the Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, a member of the American Legion and charter member and past vice commander of the Glenburn Post #211. He was also a life member of the Bangor Elks lodge #244. Fred belonged to St. Andrew’s Lodge A.F. & A.M. #83, life member Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valleys of Bangor and Portland, life member Anah Shrine, where he was a charter member and past chief of the Anah Keystone Kops. A charter member of The Order of The Quetzalcoatl, and a member of the Bangor Court #150 of the Royal Order of Jesters. He was a sports lover, in his younger years playing basketball and softball in the men’s leagues and later becoming a golf addict. He also loved spending time at hunting camp with his friends and sons and fly fishing. He rarely missed any of his grandchildren’s sporting events. Over the years, Fred cherished the many friends that he had made along the way. He hopes that they will remember him for his sense of humor and love of life. Fred looked forward to wintering in Winter Haven, FL, where he and Dianne made many new friends. He was a loving and generous man. The family wishes to thank the EMMC, ICU and CancerCare for the loving and thoughtful care provided to Fred.
Fred is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Dianne; two sons, Frederick Clarke IV and his wife, Julie of Winter Haven, FL, and Scott Clarke and his wife, Jenny of Bangor; four grandchildren, Nicole Connelly and her husband, Tim of Ashburn, VA, Brian Clarke, of Biddeford, Laura Clarke and her fiancée Kevin McAvoy of Brewer, and Jordan Clarke of Bangor; two great grandchildren, Paige Connelly of Ashburn, VA, and Harper Owen Clarke of Biddeford; one sister, Barbara Grant of Machias; two brothers-in-law, Larry Doughty of Brewer, and Lewis Doughty and his wife, Gail of Hermon; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m., Thursday, July 24, 2014, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, with the Rev. Dick Woehr, officiating. Interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Bangor, following the service. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshment at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith 163 Center St., following the interment. Those who wish to remember Fred in a special way may make gifts in his memory to CancerCare, C/O EMHS Foundation, P.O. Box 931, Bangor, ME 04402-0931. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.