Robert H. (Bob) Clark Sr. of Vineyard Haven died unexpectedly in Florida on Nov. 7 after a brief illness. He was 83.

He was a very loving father, grandfather and husband who was also beloved by his family and friends throughout the community. He always had a smile on his face and some type of joke to tell. He was well known to the public through his longtime employment at the Steamship Authority, from which he retired after more than 35 years as the terminal manager.

Bob was born and raised on Martha’s Vineyard and graduated from Tisbury High School. He was part of the town of Vineyard Haven his entire life, serving as a Tisbury police officer, volunteer firefighter with the Tisbury fire department and as a member of the board of health and the Tisbury planning board, among others.

He worked hard all his life and had many great accomplishments throughout the years. He worked at Leslie’s Drug Store and Brickman’s in the 1960s. In 1971, he bought Mardell’s Gifts and Jewelry while he was married to his first wife of 21 years, Mardell Francis.

Beginning in the 1960s and continuing into the 1980s, Bob formed a partnership called Clark, Leland & Clark with his brother Richard Clark Jr. and his friend, Leslie Leland. They built 18 rental cottages off of Franklin street in Vineyard Haven.

After many years of vacationing in Florida, Bob and his wife Carol Combra-Clark spent winters at their second home in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Fla., where they formed many cherished friendships. Bob became president and vice president at The Driftwood Beach Club, his timeshare; and was a board member of his condo. He adored their beloved dachshund Taffy and could often be seen driving around with her on his lap.

He leaves behind his daughter Robin Sylvia and her husband Gary Sylvia of Vineyard Haven; his three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, Crystal Thomas and her husband Jonathan Thomas and their daughter Madison Thomas of West Tisbury, Kandace Mavro and her husband Timothy Mavro and their daughter Lennox and son Ethan of Oak Bluffs, and Michael Sylvia and his wife Rebecca Sylvia and their daughter Riley of Keene, N.H.

He is also survived by his brother Richard Clark Jr. and his wife Lorraine Clark of Vineyard Haven; nieces and nephews, Richard E. Clark 3rd, Timothy Clark, Joy Clark-Rogers and Pam Clark-Bahal; stepchildren Lisa Merritt, Lynn Packish-Dwane and Brian Packish; and his eight step-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his wife of 25 years, Carol Combra-Clark; his son Robert H. Clark Jr., who died in 2008; his mother Phillis Margaret Luce-Smith, who died in 1999; and his father Richard H. Clark, who died in 1961.

He was interred at Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven on Nov. 17.

Bob will be deeply missed. His family will remember the good times shared with him and will hold a special place for him in their hearts.