Earl W. Clay
April 23, 1925 ~ April 11, 2019
Earl William Clay, 93, beloved husband of the late Elisabeth Nichols Clay died peacefully on April 11, 2019 surrounded by his loving family.
Son of the late Earl and Eva (Clement) Clay and a lifelong resident of Danvers, he was proud of being born and raised in the “Port”. He was a standout high school athlete on the undefeated 1941 Danvers Football Team and after the war he helped start the semi-pro Danvers Town Football Team along with a number of other returning WWII veterans from the 1941 team. He served for three years as a Corpsman in the US Navy in the Pacific Theatre. Upon returning from the war, he married his high school sweetheart Elisabeth Nichols and earned a B.S. degree in Physical Education from Springfield College.
While lobstering for several years, he coached football and basketball for local High School teams before moving on to become a full-time teacher and administrator in the Danvers Public Schools for 35 years. He was an avid Scuba Diver for 40 years, actively diving until age 80 with his son and grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, boating, and gardening with his wife of 71 years. Together for many years they tended several hundred tomato plants in their garden.
He leaves behind a son Paul and his wife Jenny of Knoxville, TN and their three children, David, Allison and Meredith; a son John and his wife Cheryl of Danvers and their three children Melissa Rodolosi and husband John of Gloucester; Krista Murray and husband Scott of Danvers; John and his wife Heather of Danvers. In addition, he leaves five great grandchildren, Kate, Tessa, Rowan, Elizabeth, and Cora. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at Care Dimensions for their thoughtful and caring service.
At the request of the family, his services will be held privately. Memorial contributions may be made to Care Dimensions 75 Sylvan St. Suite B102 Danvers MA 01923 or online at www.caredimensions.org.
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I remember Earl as one of the great teachers were were blessed with when Richmond Jr High was the building next to Holten High
He was a gentleman and very kind
I always remembered and respected him
He was also a talented sign maker
Mr. Clay really typified “the greatest generation”. He grew up through the great depression, WWII, and his service to the people and youth of Danvers is legendary. Mr. Clay and Mrs. Clay always had very interesting and wonderful stories to tell. Their memories were accurate to the smallest detail. They raised a wonderful family that represents all the honest, caring, and hard working principles that Mr. and Mrs. Clay embodied. It is hard to speak of Mr. Clay without also speaking off Mrs. Clay since I knew them as a wonderful and dedicated couple that was married over 71 years! They represented the best. It’s no surprise that Mr. Clay passed approximately 8 months after Mrs. Clay because they were meant to be together always. The biggest compliment you can give to someone is to say that you are a better person for knowing them. I said that about Mrs. Clay and can say the same for Mr. Clay. I am a much better person for having known him. It was a privilege. They just don’t make people like that anymore.
Steve Corben
I am 75 years old, and still remember him as one of my favorite teachers.
My earliest recollections of Earl were when my parents brought me to visit with Betty and the boys, one of my favorite outings. Many a time I played outdoors while my parents helped shingle the roof or lay the floor at their home they were building on Nichols St. After Earl’s father died, his mother Eva moved with the children to live at Gram Clay’s, where his aunt Marge (my mother), only a few years older, formed a life-long bond with him. When Earl got involved with making model displays for the local Devcon Company, my father, Mike Morano, and he spent hours putting them together in our basement. Oddly, decades later, I came across one at a sale at the Masonic Temple, bought it for 10 cents, wrapped it and gave it to Earl as a Christmas present. Betty and he had a hardy laugh over that gift.
Over the years, I would drop in for a visit, where Earl would reminisce about his early years. I learned some interesting stories about the family from him. Being a former history teacher, Earl would often ask me what I thought about the latest trends in education or sometimes current events. Those always tended to be lively discussions. Since I had done extensive genealogical research on the Clay line, as well as Earl’s own Clement side, we frequently discussed people and events from the past that I had discovered, like the ancestor who had fought in the British Civil War.
I will forever miss the enjoyable times I spent with Betty and Earl. I cared for both of them deeply and feel honored that Earl always considered me part of his clan.
Earl, you embodied all the characteristics that people admire, and it’s no wonder those who knew you loved and admired you so much. Rest in peace.
Kathryn J. Morano
I knew Earl Clay for over 60 years. I first met him when he was involved in church league basketball practices at the Great Oak School. It was the 7th grade when I found out that he was a teacher at the Richmond School. He was my geography instructor. Then I found out that he was the freshman basketball coach. In the two years that I played for him he had two of the best won/loss records of any coach at the high school. Earl later became an administrator at the Richmond School.
Over the years we would meet occasionally while doing business at the Hathorne Post Office. Earl, his wife and I had some interesting conversations over the years. Earl was a good teacher and coach and a better person. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Bill Stacy
My ex-husband and I used to scuba dive with Earl, Betty and occasionally John out of Danversport. Betty always stayed in the boat, knitting or reading, and had sandwiches ready when we came up. Earl’s Boston Whaler was always loaded up with enough scuba tanks for several dives, and we always were successful, bringing back lobsters, crabs and flounder. Since both our families were from Danvers, we would often stop by Betty & Earl’s for a visit. Great memories of those times together!
Earl Clay (Mr. Clay) was my Principal in my 1st year teaching at DHS. What an inspiration he was!!!