Joscelyn Thomas O’Connor Clarke was born on October 31, 1940, in the district of Chester Castle, Hanover, Jamaica. He was the son of the late John Clarke and Gwendolyn Levy Clarke and their 4th child of 9; 3 brothers and 5 sisters. They all went to Chester Castle All Age School where their favorite pastime and hobbies were playing cricket and marbles. As the eldest boy he helped his father with gar- dening and grazing cows and goats. After leaving Chester Castle All Age School, he received his first job at age 17 with a yellow cab company in Montego Bay as a mechanic, then later his sister’s husband got him a job with Hobbins Construction Company as a roller operator in Lucea. In 1960, he started working with Caribbean construction company Operating JC backhoe in Constant Spring. Then the company purchased a new machine from England called a procrane backhoe for which he was assigned to a project in Manchester, Mandeville. But he decided that he wanted more than to just be an operator, he wanted to be an entrepreneur. So he bought his own Leyland dump truck while still working with Caribbean Construction and he rented out his truck to the company. In 1973, he visited his two brothers in the USA then he returned to Jamaica. On September 13, 1979, he migrated permanently to the USA, where he worked for several construction companies as an operator engineer. In 1983, he started his own business: a construction company, named Pardy construction company.
It was only by chance that he met Evadne Morrison. Then the moment he set eyes on her the rest was 50 plus years later. The union bore 5 children and he set an exemplary example as a husband, father and grandfather. Joscelyn became affectionately known as “Pardy” to many who had the God blessed fortune to know him during his time with us. The nickname was surely true to his personality – Party, Partner or Friend. He lit up the room before entering as one may have heard him greeting everyone loudly as he made his way through. The life of the party, feisty, fearless and down to earth. You could not have found a fairer and determined associate in doing business. Pardy’s loyalty was second to none in the building industry. Above all, he had eternal love for his family and friends. We will miss him more than words can express. We love you. Pardy Be at peace.
Joscelyn found so much pride in his accomplishments as a General Contractor in the construction in- dustry. His dedication, intelligence, and love of building brought him a successful career and connected Pardy to his construction partners that he thought very highly of and spoke often. He was such an ex-ceptional man that cared for others, at times to a fault. It was overheard oftentimes that he does business with his heart. If someone or a family member was hurting, God, so was he. Nonetheless, it was always a joy to get to be around Pardy. I will never forget his jovialness, his laughter, and lighthearted spirit.
Pardy, unassuming in his generosity, made the transition from this life with family by his side, faithful- ly in the morning of May 23, 2021. I know Dad is looking down right now on this and us, and I truly believe he knows just how loved he really was. Our father would have loved all this attention. I know everyone says that they have the world’s greatest dad; but my siblings and I can certainly say the same without hesitations. Who say, Dad!
While I and my family stand deeply grieved by the loss of one of the pillars in our family, we are also thankful for the chance to have him. Joscelyn Thomas Clarke leaves to mourn, his daughters, Yvonne Clarke-Henry, Benita Clarke, Mercedes Karr; sons, Ricky Clarke, Joscelyn Clarke, Jr, Peter Clarke; brothers Kingsley & Ovan and sister Jacqueline; son-in-law Tony Henry; grandchildren, Nicholas, Ricky, Joseph, Travis, Trayveon, Brianna, Prince, Janeya, Chavel, Sharika, Javaughn, Malik : great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and a host of other relatives and friends to mourn his loss.