Guy R. Clements Was Keeper of Vanessa

Guy R. (Grandpa) Clements Sr., age 88, of Oak Bluffs and Venice, Fla. died Wednesday, Jan. 5 at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford after a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Justine (Bodyk) Clements.

Born in Montreal, Canada, a son of the late Albert Rivers Clements and the late Blanche (Bernier) Clements. he was raised on the Vineyard and settled in Stamford, Conn. for 32 years until moving to Bay Indies in Venice where he resided for the past 17 years, continuing to summer in Oak Bluffs since childhood.

Mr. Clements was employed by the city of Stamford for 30 years as the supervisor of building and grounds of the Stamford school system retiring in 1986.

He was a graduate of Oak Bluffs High School, class of 1933 and graduated from the Boston Diesel School of Engineering in 1935. He served in the United States Army during World War II and was honorably discharged with the rank of captain.

Mr. Clements will most notably be remembered for the children's book he authored, especially one called Vanessa: a Sea Serpent. It is a manifesto devoted to unraveling the truth and myth behind the famous sea serpent living in the middle of Farm Pond in Oak Bluffs, which he took care of. Generations of young and old have stopped by his home on Oak Bluffs to listen to him retell this wonderful story.

He enjoyed photography and was a member of the Stamford Camera Club, a member and past Exalted Ruler of the Elks Club in Stamford and a member of the Oak Bluffs Breakfast Club.

He is survived by two daughters, Trina C. Barvenik of Weston, Conn. and Mindy L. Kendall of Stamford, Conn.; one son, Guy R. Clements Jr. of Danbury, Conn.; two sisters, Margarite Davenport of New Bedford, Mary Ann White of Tampa, Fla., one brother, Roland Clements of Bella Vista, Ark.; five grandchildren, Amelie Loyot, Daniel Barvenik, Christie Clements, Robert Lee Clements, Matthew Kendall; five great-grandchildren, Madeline Barvenik, Kieran Barvenik, John Barvenik, Siobhan Barvenik, and Alexandra Loyot; nieces Janice Aubut of Oak Bluffs, and Barbara Ogaard of Bothel, Wash., and numerous nieces and nephews.

His funeral and burial are private. Arrangements are in the care of the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Dartmouth, 230 Russells Mills Road, Dartmouth.