Jimmy Tingle hosts comedy benefit in memory of Cambridge man
The friends and family of the late John "Jay" Clark are holding a comedy benefit hosted by Jimmy Tingle at his "Off Broadway" Theatre at 255 Elm St. (Davis Square) in Somerville. The 4 p.m. show on Saturday, Oct. 27, will feature Tingle, a close friend of Jay Clark. Other guests will include nationally known comedian Tony V. from the "Late Show with Conan O'Brien and "The Brotherhood" as well as a surprise guest comedian. The benefit is being held to raise money for college expenses for Jay's two children; Michael, age 18, who is currently a freshman at Fitchburg State College; and Jennifer, age 15, who is a sophomore at Tyngsborough High School.
Jay Clark grew up in the Washington Elms housing projects in Cambridge and graduated from St, Mary's High School in 1972. He also attended Boston College for three years before joining the United States Air Force. Jay was the only son of Dorothy V. Clark, a nurse who worked for many years at the Youville Hospital and Brusch Clinic. Jay's older sister, Debbie Clark Lancaster, also graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1970, and his younger sister, Joyce Clark McElwee, graduated from Matignon High School in 1974. The Clark family also lived on Hancock Street in the early 1970s and Pearl Street in Somerville in the late 1970s. Jay played basketball and football at St. Mary's. Throughout his adult life, Jay played in numerous winter and summer basketball leagues all over the Cambridge and Somerville areas. In recent years, Jay was an avid runner who participated in several triathlons. Jay also coached in many recreational athletic leagues in the greater Lowell/Tyngsborough area. Jay had worked as a telecommunications engineer early in his career and had more recently worked as a flooring salesman with NRF Distributors Inc. of Augusta, Maine.
Jay was diagnosed with stage 4 abdominal cancer in April 2006 and, after a courageous 14-month battle, died on June 4, 2007. Jay was just 52 years old. This benefit performance is being held on the same day as the St. Mary High School Reunion (classes from 1973-1975). If you looking for an opportunity to see a great comedy show and see old friends from the Cambridge area and St. Mary's High School, this is it.
For ticket information, call 617-591-1616 or visit www.jtoffbroadway.com. If you are unable to attend the benefit and wish to make a donation to the Jay Clark Memorial Fund, please forward your check to: Deborah Clark Lancaster, 73 Ash St., West Bridgewater, MA 02379 or contact her at dal9573@aol.com