PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — This weekend Shriners from across the state will be in town to honor Tom Clukey, a local man who was destined to be potentate of the organization but lost his battle with cancer in May 2013 before he could serve in the group’s highest position. A parade in his honor will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 21.
The annual celebration traditionally takes place in the potentate’s hometown. Clukey, a Presque Isle native, would have held that designation this year; Dick Hallett, of Mars Hill, past potentate, stepped in to assume the duties, deciding to hold the event in the Star City to honor Clukey and to give those who knew him the opportunity to remember him as well.
It didn’t matter whether a person only knew him as an acquaintance or if they were life-long friends, Clukey earned the praise of many for his tireless commitment to family, friends, his business, the Shriners’ organization and the community as a whole.
“I only met him at a few Shrine events, but I was impressed with the way he rolled up his sleeves and pitched in to do hard work when he didn’t have to. He always smiled and made you feel at ease. He is being celebrated this weekend at the Shrine ceremonial,” said Lisa Wark, of Mapleton, whose husband, Rich Wark, is a fellow Shriner and friend of Clukey’s. “Tom deserves to be recognized for all the good he did over the years.”
Mike Cowett, of Mike’s Towning Service in Presque Isle, said although he didn’t know Clukey well, he found him to be a “good guy.”
“It was a pleasure doing business with him,” said Cowett.
At the municipal level, Clukey was remembered for his community spirit.
“He really put the community first. Whenever I dealt with Tom, he proved that he had such a big heart again and again — always wanting to help out his neighbors and friends,” said Martin Puckett, deputy city manager.
Rich Wark spoke highly of Clukey and his commitment to community.
“The thing I remember most about Tom is that he was a model Shriner and Mason — and by that I mean he thought about what he could do for others before he thought about himself,” he said.
“I truly believe his best was yet to come. He had so many plans for his year as the potentate to move us forward and showcase what Shriners do to provide medical care to children that need it,” said Rich Wark. “Tom was a mentor to me and was always available to listen and to offer advice. Well done, oh good and faithful servant, well done …”
Some are still struggling to fill the void left by Clukey’s passing.
“He was a classmate and good friend — closer than a friend. We spent so many hours talking,” said Freddy Haines, a fellow Shriner from Presque Isle.
Haines said Clukey was instrumental in getting the Indy Unit operating in Aroostook County.
“He was one of the instigators behind the Indy Unit. I woke the unit up but he put it in motion,” said Haines. “It’s been a hard year. He’s missed by so many.”
Fred Parsons, of Scopan Lake, spoke at length about Clukey and what a selfless man he was.
“I knew him since the early ‘80s, when his dad and brother opened Clukey’s. The family was always very community-oriented, always willing to help. The store changed hands from his father to his brother, then it was Tom’s. Now it’s being led by his wife, Gail, and his family,” said Parsons, who’s been a Shriner since 1990.
Parsons said Clukey was a “great guy, very friendly and always willing to help anyone with a cause.”
“I remember he and I renting a hall to help someone with cancer. The family couldn’t afford to rent a space for a fundraiser, so — no questions asked — we stepped in to help,” he said.
Parsons said Clukey was looking forward to this year, before he was stricken with cancer.
“Tom was very proud to be a Shriner. He was looking forward to being potentate. It takes about 10 years to go through all the seats to get to that position. He passed while in the No. 2 spot. Dick Hallett agreed to come back in Tom’s honor, to keep the annual event in Presque Isle,” said Parsons.
He recalled Clukey’s ability to always put others before himself.
“He was a great guy, very friendly and always helpful. I remember one time last spring — around April — he was on his way to the hospital for a cancer treatment, when he saw Patti (Crooks, Parsons’ wife) with a vehicle problem. He stopped to ask if help was needed. That’s just the type of guy he was,” said Parsons.
In addition to hands-on help, Parsons said Clukey also gave generously to support local causes and organizations.
“Tom sponsored a lot of things, including the fairs in Presque Isle and Houlton,” said Parsons.
“He was a wonderful man. I’m sorry we lost him but I’m looking forward to this weekend and the chance to honor Tom,” said Parsons.
Clukey was 59 when he lost his battle with cancer on May 1, 2013. The son of Clyde and Bertha (Ferland) Clukey, he was a 1971 graduate of Presque Isle High School and attended both the University of Maine at Presque Isle and Northern Maine Community College. He was a Mason and member of Trinity Lodge 130 AF & AM, Presque Isle, Scottish Rites Bodies of Bangor, Maine Consistory 32 Degree Valley, Portland. He was past president and life member of the Aroostook Shrine Club and a life member of the many Anah Shrine clubs.
He was one of the founding members and past president of Anah Indy’s. He was a member and past director in 2011 of ROJ Court 150, Bangor. Clukey was appointed a potentate’s aide in 1997 by Potentate Ed Pellon and in 2006 was appointed outer guard by Potentate Richard P. Hallett.
