Nice N Easy Mourns Loss of Another Co-Founder

CANASTOTA, N.Y. — For the second time this year, Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes is mourning the loss of one of its co-founders. Richard G. "Dick" Clark, of Manlius, N.Y., passed away Nov. 11.

Clark was born in Canastota where he met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Margaret "Peg" Fisher. He graduated from Cornell University with an electrical engineering degree in 1951 and went on to serve two years in the U.S. Air Force as a second lieutenant, according to the Syracuse Post Standard.

After serving in the military, Clark returned to his hometown to work with his father. Eventually, he and his younger brother, Don (who died in 2010) took over the reins of the family business and grew it to become Clarks Petroleum Service. In the 1980s, the brothers co-founded Canastota-based Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes with the late John McDougall, who passed away this June.

Clark and his wife Peg moved to Cazenovia, N.Y., in 1976. After Peg's death, he married Ann Bigelow and settled in Manlius. Clark retired from Nice N Easy in 1994.

According to his obituary, he was a successful athlete, earning a place in Cornell's Hall of Fame for football and wrestling.

Clark also was an active member of numerous organizations, including the Lions Club; Civic Club; Rotary; Manlius Senior Centre; Canastota Board of Education; Cazenovia College board of trustees; Key Bank and Utica Mutual boards of directors, Saint James Parish in Cazenovia; Saint Ann's Parish in Manlius; New York State Business Council; Empire State Petroleum Association; and the White House Conference on Small Business.

Clark is survived by his wife, Ann, seven children, 12 grandchildren, one great grandson, and two sisters-in-law.