Russell Clark,

Russell Clark, age 57, of Brockton, died Thursday, May 29, 2014 at Tufts Medical Center surrounded by family after a period of failing health. Born Nov. 27, 1956 in Brockton, Russ was the oldest son of Caroline (Davis) and Joseph Clark of Brockton. A 1975 graduate of Brockton High School, Russ was the first person in a wheelchair to complete all twelve years of public school in Brockton. This was quite an accomplishment for Russ and his family. He also attended Massasoit Community College. Russ worked for Dial-A-Bat for many years as a dispatcher, and later at AAA as an Emergency Road Service Dispatcher. In addition to his parents, he leaves his siblings Donald and his partner Robin Murray of Brockton; Debbie Blosz and her husband Richard of Whitman and Nancy Clark and her partner Kathy Gray of Bloomington, N.Y. Russ is also survived by his many nieces and nephews, Sherri, John, Haley, Katelyn and Jessica Lincoln of Brockton, Joe Clark of Rockland, Jacqui Clark of Pembroke, Tina and Jared Williams of Jersey City, N.J. and Nick Blosz of Whitman. He also leaves his longtime PCA and friend, Diane Gogan. Russ was confined to a wheelchair his entire life, but Russ was always a fiercely independent spirit and never used his disability to get special privileges. Russ was an Easter Seals poster child when he was a boy. He was a member of the Pentecost United Methodist Church. He loved fishing and the Brockton Rox. He had a special affection for the Brockton Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services, Law Enforcement, and the Armed Services. When Russ saw a need in the City of Brockton, he and a friend painted many of the fire hydrants in the city. Russ was a patch collector and had patches from all over the world including Fire, Police and Ambulance Services. He was especially proud of attending the Citizen's Police Academy, being a certified first responder, as well as a member of the Brockton Emergency Management Agency's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Everyone knew Russ. He couldn't go anywhere without being recognized especially at the Westgate Mall. Even out of state someone always recognized Russ. We told him he should run for office. He would have won for notoriety alone. We loved the time spent with you and the many memories of our Russ will forever linger. Visiting hours will be held in the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street, (Rte 123) Brockton on Tuesday, June 3, 2014, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A funeral home service will be held Wednesday, at 11 a.m, officiated by Pastor Richard Rego. Burial to follow at Pine Hill Cemetery, West Bridgewater. Memorial contributions in Russs name may be made to the Brockton Historical Society Fire Museum, 216 North Pearl Street, Brockton, MA 02301, or the Brockton Fire Department Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 868, Brockton, MA 02303. For condolences and directions please visit www.conleyfuneralhome.com or on Facebook at Conley Funeral & Cremation Service.