Obituary 29 May 1935 - Brooklyn Daily Eagle

T. A. Clarke Dies, Noted As Builder Of Boro Schools

Contractor and Land Developer Also Erected Palm Beach Hotels & P. O.

Thomas A. Clarke, father of public school construction in Brooklyn and one of the early developers of Palm Beach as a fashionable resort died yesterday in his home, 176 Seely St., after a brief illness. He was president and director of the T. A. Clarke Construction and Engineering Co., the offices at 1310 Bedford Avenue.

Mr. Clarke, a prominent figure in building circles for more than 35 years, was responsible for most of the modern public schools in this borough. He also constructed the Halsey Theatre, Arcadia Hall, the Broadway Arena and other community centers. Mr. Clarke held considerable property on Long Island.

Sells Florida Holdings

Last February, Mr. Clarke sold at public auction many of his valuable Florida holdings. Joseph P. Day, noted real estate operator, conducted the sale, which marked the largest auction of Florida real estate in many years. Most of the properties were undeveloped land and waterfront lots. The St. Lucie acreage, a 56-mile tract north of Palm Beach, also went under the hammer. The luxurious Palm Beach Hotel, built by Mr. Clarke in 1926 was retained.

Other parcels were plots in Primavera, Sunrise Addition, Elcanto, Bungalow Park, Shoreacres, Military Park, oceanfront lots at Delray Beach and Boynton, waterfront and inland lots in West Palm Beach and ocean frontage at Jupiter.

Builds Hotel, Post Office

Mr. Clarke had been going to Palm Beach since 1916. Beside the Palm Beach Hotel, he constructed the Palm Beach Post Office and a magnificent home where he lived in the winter with his family. Mr. Clarke also maintained a summer home at Northport.

Surviving are his wife, the former Leonora Desmond and four children. Mr. Clarke's eldest daughter, Anna, is married to Frank Colgan, a Brooklyn lawyer and a son of George A. Colgan, former Boxing Commissioner and Deputy Markets Commissioner.

The funeral will be held Saturday at 9:30 A.M. from the home to the R. C. Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, where a solemn requiem mass will be offered at 10 A.M. Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery will be directed by E. F. Higgins.