Our friend Percy Clarke

For half a century, the man that we all know and love, Percy Clark, has been a mentor, moral compass, educator, family member, friend and SO much more to SO many people. For decades, Mr. Percy Clark was a major figure at the Camp that holds a special place in our collective heart; and people like Percy are what contributes to making Copake the special place that it is for so many. Percy worked with and trained individuals not only from the US but from all over the Globe, teaching them cooking skills, the English language, and life lessons that many would carry into their lives and careers ("When better can not be found - let the worse continue"). Percy always had such a gentle manner, love for people, golden heart and persuasion that made everyone that walked through those kitchen doors comfortable and immediately “part of the family” - as the crew in the kitchen always felt a sense of pride knowing Chef Percy Clarke (and his brother, Chris Carbone) was their advocate and guide. His island accent and gentle, kind manner was an immediate family invitation and hug with words. He would “gather the troops” to pitch quarters or play ping pong or dance around the kitchen....his way of bonding the family - whether you were new to the kitchen and/or returning after discovering the "magic" in previous summers.

Percy was always a man who had a minimalistic way of living....he never asked for much and never needed much. He lived his life one season at a time....always looking forward to the next season and another opportunity to “grow his family." We all were taken into his arms and his circle willingly and lovingly. WE were ALL his family!

Now our Mr. Clark is on the verge of his 90th birthday!!! His body unfortunately has been stricken with a frailty beyond what we all remember as a slight man. He deals daily with a twisted, weakened frame that is further impacted by the cold weather of NY every day. He has had many plans in the past...he was going to go back to the Islands, he planned on possibly Trinidad...his plan was always to move to the warmer weather....his attempt and way of finding some comfort with his ravaged frame.

With the help of a few of us, we have tried to make his plans happen. Meanwhile other issues have come up for Mr. Clark....he now needs a daily aide, his medications, the cost of living in NYC, all the issues that come with growing old on a VERY meager, fixed income have begun to hit him hard. And his plans of being able to move to warmer weather is quickly dwindling.

We all know Percy never asked for a lot, nor did he have a lot. BUT because of this, the means to make his wish of spending the last of “his golden years” is truly non-existent; Percy does not have a bank account that allows for this to happen. His current situation does not allow for an aid to be hired to help him at least a few times a week with the needs of getting older.

In the past, I have posted on FB asking for good wishes and prayers for Percy in his Golden Year endeavors...but unfortunately the prayers and good wishes are not enough, he needs more at this time. So we are looking to begin a GoFundMe benefitting Mr. Percy Clark, our Island Father and mentor. He has been our dear friend, he has been our moral compass, he is a man of PURE kindness! I am asking ALL of us who have been touched by this man to contribute to help Mr. Clark finally be able to make this wish of living out his Golden Years come to fruition.

My husband used to ALWAYS say...If you don’t like Percy Clark, there is something wrong with you. There is not an ounce of bad in the man. So I am going to draw on my husband’s words and ask for all of you to help us help Percy. Let’s get him south and help with his personal needs at least a few times a week. If everyone he has ever touched at camp added to the GoFundMe, we could give Percy a very happy ending to a very rich soul!!!! He never had much money, but DAMN the man has an amazing heart and both felt the "riches" of the camp community and also contributed immensely to the "riches" that makes Camp the place it is for so many reading this post.

Saying thank you in advance for those that wish to and can help Percy. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

The Carbone

The Tischler

The Weingarten

Families