Leo “Brian” Clark, age 76, of Blissfield, Michigan passed away on July 7, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.
Brian was born on May 8, 1948 in Colchester County, Truro, N.S. to Geroge and Thelma (Redden) Clark. After graduating from high school, Brian went on many different adventures which ultimately lead him to western Canada where he was able to travel through the Rocky Mountains on an open box car transporting horses. Later, Brian travelled back East where he met the love of his life of 54 years, Kathy Davis, at Batavia Downs. They were married on Aug. 15, 1970, in Van Wert, Ohio and she survives.
Brian continued training and racing horses all over from New York, Philadelphia, Toronto, Windsor, Michigan, Cleveland, Toledo and many local county fairs. While his children were young and in school, he worked at Hamblin Company in Tecumseh and later the University of Michigan in the printing services department. In the late 1990s, fate brought Litvok, Slamming Score and Benny Blanco into his life and reignited his training career, which he enjoyed the rest of his life. He had many successful horses in his time which brought a lot of excitement and joy into his and his family's lives.
Brian loved spending time with his family, sharing stories about people and horses at the track, and reminiscing of the joys and mischievous adventures of growing up in Nova Scotia.
In addition to his wife Kathleen, Brian is survived by his children, Matthew (Val) Clark of Temperance, Michigan and Amanda Clark of Adrian, Michigan; brothers, Lloyd Clark of Townsend, Massachusetts, Robin Clark of Ontario and Sandy Clark of Nova Scotia; sisters, Marie Weatherbee of Truro, N.S., and Linda Boyce of North River, N.S. Brian is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, George, Neil, Walter, Ronald, Doug, Gene and Carl.
To honour Brian’s memory and love of horses, go to the horse races at your local county fair this summer, pick a winner and cheer them on.
A Celebration of Life for Brian will be held on Sunday, July 21, 2024 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Brian and Kathy’s home to share memories including fond memories of Brian and his love of horses.
You may send condolences to the family at andersonfuneralservices.com.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Brian Clark.