21.07.2016
Tony Clark 1940-2016
We have received the sad news that access industry veteran and ex IPAF president Tony Clark, or Anthony John Coventry Clark to give him his full name, has died after a long illness.
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Tony Clark
He passed away on Friday July 15th aged 76. Clark was sales director and then managing director of Gala Engineering in Thetford, Norfolk, UK, in the late 1970s, when he and owner John Barford met John Merrick of Ontario, Canada. who had designed and patented the Topper articulated up & over boom lift. Barford and Clark agreed to acquire the worldwide rights to manufacture the Topper. Clark established the product through marketing, demonstrations and setting up a distributor network, covering around 60 countries. Gala experienced a great deal of success over the years, building up a strong factory team along the way.
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An exhibition in Bahrain in 1978 (L-R) an unknown customer, with Commander Hastings of the Agents, Stewart & Hastings and Topper designer John Merrick. Tony Clark is in the platform demonstrating the Topper Super 10 to one of the show organisers.
In the 1990s the company was acquired by Simon to create Simon-Gala. Clark stayed on with the company initially as sales director and was elected president of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) in 1990 serving the usual two year term.
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Tony Clark in 1990 with the IPAF president's chain of office
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A Topper sales conference 1984 - Tony Clark is on the far left. If you have been in the industry for some time you may spot a few others who are still active today
In his younger days he was a keen Rugby player and enjoyed travelling, attending exhibitions and meeting people. He leaves behind wife Christine, sons Andrew and Paul and several grandchildren.
Funeral details
The funeral service will be held at West Suffolk Crematorium on Tuesday August 23rd at 12.45. Followed by a drink and buffet at the Thetford Rugby Football Club, Two Mile Bottom.
Flowers, or donations if preferred donations made payable for Parkinsons Disease Society at the service or care of Lydia & David Turner, Thetford & District Funeral Services Ltd, 15-15a Old Market Street, Thetford IP24 2EQ 01842 761333.
I can only agree and reiterate what everyone has said about Tony.
I first met him about 1976, and he certainly helped me in the early 1980s whenever we came to launch Highway. I last met him just a couple of years ago at Vertikal Days of all places.
I have attached a copy of a photograph from a 1984 Topper sales conference, it has Tony standing at the extreme left beside Graham Tuppen and John Merrick (inventor of the Topper). Others that I can remember in the photograph are Pete Pemberton, Max Johnston, Derek Dargavel, Andrew Clark (Tony' son), Barry Ireland and Jackie Ickx, and myself of course.
David Houston
Highway Plant
Steve Eichberger
One of the worlds greatest men. Started with Tony in early 80s. Nothing but respect. Condolences to Paul and Andrew and the rest of the family.
Nigel Litherland
Nigel Litherland
A friend and former colleague who always gave of himself.Sad news many of us will remember Tony's sense of fun and his wise words.
Peter Pemberton
What a great man , really sorry to hear the sad news of Tony's death.
I have know him since 1976 , when Planet Platforms was formed.
Malcolm Bowers and I along with Tony had some great times together.
We will miss him,
He was a lovely man. A truly polite, respectful gentleman. He figured highly in our early years when Pete Pemberton and I were buying Toppers for our hire fleet at Access Rental back in 1978.
This news was a sad shock. Heartfelt condolences to his family.