J. Clark Grew II

J. Clark Grew II, the tenth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio and 52nd commander of the USS Constitution, died in his home in Boston on December 22, 2025. He was comfortable and surrounded by his family and many friends, who he continued to make laugh right up to the end.

Clark was born on December 20, 1939, in New York City, the son of Henry Sturgis Grew, Jr., and Selina Richards Wood. He was named after his great uncle, Joseph Clark Grew, U.S. Ambassador to Japan during World War II. Clark graduated from St. Mark's School in Southborough, Massachusetts in 1958 and from Harvard College with a Bachelor of Arts in 1962. He graduated from the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with a Master of Divinity in 1978 and was awarded a Doctor of Divinity in 1997 for pastoral and prophetic leadership of the Church. He later became Head of EDS’s board. Clark served in the United States Navy from 1962 to 1967, including as the 52nd commander of the U.S.S. Constitution from 1965 to 1967. After retiring from the Navy as a lieutenant, Clark became a faculty member at Groton School and then at his alma mater, St. Mark's School. At St. Mark’s, Clark taught English, was the Director of Admission, the Assistant Head of School, and later served as a Trustee. He was called as rector to St. John's Church in Westwood, Massachusetts, from 1978 to 1982, and then rector of Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest, Illinois, from 1982 to 1993. While in Lake Forest, Clark made many lifelong friends and pursued his love of squash, a sport he had played at Harvard, at The Onwentsia Club, where he and his partner JD were undefeated! In 1993, Clark was elected Bishop of Ohio and consecrated to the episcopate in 1994. During his ten years in Cleveland as Bishop, he promoted unity and support for greater inclusion of women and all Episcopalians in the Church.

Clark married Sarah Winslow Loomis Jones (Wendy) on December 27, 1972. Her two children, Patrick Suydam Jones, Jr., and Elizabeth Winslow Jones, became his through love as well as adoption. Together, in 1974, Clark and Wendy welcomed their daughter, Sarah Winslow Grew.

Upon his retirement in 2004, Clark and Wendy moved back to Boston, where they fully embraced their life together in Copley Square. Clark contributed to the well-being of Emmanuel Church in the City of Boston where he was a wise counselor with a deeply pastoral heart. He was involved with Epiphany School and St. George's School in Newport, RI. He also took time to enjoy his India Wharf Rats, the camaraderie of the Tavern Club, and his Harvard classmates from the A. D. Club. Over the years, the family has spent significant time in Northeast Harbor, Maine, where Clark was happiest, sitting with friends and family on the porch of Grewvie, playing tennis, puttering in his garden, or going out on the Grewsum and later the Paraclete.

Clark was predeceased by his brother, Henry S. Grew. He is survived by his beloved wife, Wendy; his sister, Selina G. Rossiter (Allen); his brother, Robert S. Grew (Linda); his children, Patrick S. Jones (Katherine M.) Elizabeth W. Jones (Walker H.), and Sarah G. Haskell (Benjamin B.); his grandchildren, Katherine H. Aubuchon-Jones (Haley C), Macy W. Jones, and Alexandra M. Jones, E. Bannon Jones and Josiah W. Jones, and Hannah W. Haskell, Louisa L. Haskell, and Henry S. Haskell. And his great-granddaughter, K. Willa Aubuchon-Jones; as well as countless friends and extended family. Clark was a great friend to all, with a mischievous sense of humor, a gentle heart, and a generous listening ear. To his loved ones, he had many names: “Tubby” to his friends, “Clarkie” to Wendy, “Dad” to his children, and “Doodoo” to his grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral Service on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 11 AM at the Emmanuel Church in the City of Boston, 15 Newbury St., |Boston, MA 02116.