Family’s agony as search for Snowy ends in tragedy
Tributes are paid as “incredibly loved” pensioner found dead after going missing
The heartbroken family of East Kilbride pensioner Thomas Clark have described him as “incredibly loved”.
The 84-year-old was last seen last Thursday but after a police search his body was sadly discovered near Blantyre on Monday morning.
Countless friends have also paid tribute to popular ‘Snowy’ on social media.
Daughter Frances Doherty said: “Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes at this most difficult time.”
A beloved dad, grandad and devoted friend and charity supporter are just a few of the words used to describe pensioner Thomas Clark.
The 84-year-old, from The Village, went missing on Thursday, but tragically, his body was discovered near the David Livingstone Centre in Blantyre on Monday morning following a police search and desperate pleas for his safe return which were shared nearly 90,000 times in just two days.
Thomas, who was known as ‘Snowy’ and was a janitor at St Andrew’s High School for many years, was a popular and much loved figure in the town and was a dedicated member of St Bride’s Church as well as numerous charitable organisations through the church.
The widower, who lost his wife, Moira, only a few months ago, also selflessly gave his time with the charity Loaves and Fishes, which provides emergency food parcels to those in need.
Yesterday his heartbroken daughter, Frances Doherty, posted a moving tribute on Facebook thanking everyone who had tried to help find her dad and had spoken so kindly of him.
It is also understood that he leaves behind a son.
Frances said: “We would like to express our thanks to everyone for your help, messages of support and love expressed through social media by sharing, commenting and praying for our dad’s safe return.
“As you may already be aware our dad’s body was discovered on Monday morning, we are heartbroken.
“We would like to thank everyone, in particular the police officers involved in the search for our dad, their great care and professionalism during a very difficult and traumatic period has been much appreciated by our family, thank you all for your prayers, well wishes, offers of help and support, they have given us great comfort at this most difficult time.
“Dad, granda, uncle, Tommy Clark (Snowy) was incredibly loved by everyone who knew him and he will be sadly missed.
“We thank everyone again for their prayers and support.”
A former pupil at St Andrew’s High said Thomas left an indelible mark on all who passed through the school.
She said: “Tommy, affectionately known as Snowy, was a huge influence in our lives as schoolchildren.
“He lived in the grounds of St Andrew’s High School in Scholars Gate and our days usually featured him in some way, usually with him putting us on black bin bag duty collecting rubbish when he caught us littering or smoking.
“The fact that his missing page was shared to reach 86,000 people in two days is testimony to the fact he was held in high regard with so many people.”
Another family friend told the News: “He was an exceptional and above all a family man.
“Tommy was a janitor at St Andrew’s for nearly 30 years, he loved his sport and his football and supported Celtic all his life.
“He was a season ticket holder at Parkhead and was at the games nearly every Saturday.
“He also did a lot of charity work with The Knights of St Columba, St Vincent Du Paul and also Loaves and Fishes.
“We are all heartbroken and Tommy will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.”
Tributes have poured in to the News’ Facebook page for Tommy.
Paul White posted: “A true gentleman who was fair but firm in all the jobs he was asked to do
“With his own style he earned the respect and admiration of thousands of young people whose lives he touched. And although its been decades ... we will never forget him.”
Police say Thomas’s death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.
Officers scoured CCTV footage and carried out door-to-door enquiries as a search was launched to establish his whereabouts.