Father Laurence P. Clark, O.S.A., who served in the Diocese of Camden, died Feb. 17 at Marylake Monastery, King City, Ontario, at the age of 73.
Born on June 24, 1937 in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Mary Schefer and Paul Joseph Clark.
Father Clark entered the Augustinian Minor Seminary in Staten Island, N.Y., and later was sent to the Novitiate in Monastery, Nova Scotia. He professed on Sept. 5, 1961, and had his solemn vows to the Order of St. Augustine on Sept. 10, 1964. He was ordained a priest on Nov. 19, 1966.
Following his ordination, he was assigned to St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish in Philadelphia, and later was assigned to Holy Name Parish in Camden, and in Vineland at the parishes of St. Mary’s and Our Lady of Pompeii. Father Clark also served at the Tribunal of the Diocese of Camden.
In 1992, he was transferred to Canada, where from 1996-2006 he served in the elected position of Prior Provincial and Superior of the Canadian Province. While fulfilling his leadership role for the Augustinians and the retreats at Marylake, he was also appointed pastor of the parishes of St. Brigid’s and Holy Cross in downtown Toronto.
He is survived by a sister, Maureen McDaid, and a brother, Gregory-Philip Clark.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 21 at Marylake Monastery, and burial was at Sacred Heart Cemetery, King City, Ontario.
A memorial Mass for Father Clark will be celebrated at St. Padre Pio Parish, Our Lady of Pompeii Church, 4680 Dante Avenue, Vineland on Saturday, April 2 at 10:30 a.m. A light luncheon will follow at Rosary Hall.