James N. Clark, ad executive, activist for homeless, AIDS

James N. Clark, 77, of Philadelphia, an advertising executive and compassionate activist, died Monday, Feb. 23, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, of complications from Parkinson's disease.

Mr. Clark and Anthony A. Lyle, his companion of 45 years, were on vacation when Mr. Clark was hospitalized after becoming ill.

Mr. Clark was a former vice president and associate creative director of Lewis, Gilman & Kynett Inc., an advertising agency in Philadelphia.

An advertising copywriter, Mr. Clark began his career in Philadelphia at the Insurance Co. of North America. He held writing positions at various institutions and ad firms before joining Lewis, Gilman & Kynett.

He wrote award-winning ads and was skilled at presenting ads to potential clients. Advertising Age, a trade publication, cited him for his skills.

Some of his work was pro bono. One such ad, created for the Gray Panthers, read: "Just What the Country Needs: A Group of Wrinkled Radicals."

Mr. Clark was not only a copywriter but also a sharp copy editor. During the presentation of an ad depicting a cow to a group of dairy farmers, he once pointed out that the cow was missing its udder.

He also was known as a mentor to young writers seeking positions in advertising, and he lectured about the advertising industry at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.

Born in Glens Falls, N.Y., and reared in various places, Mr. Clark graduated from Hiram College in Ohio. While there, he took to the piano and performed recitals.

He attended the Navy's Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I., and served with the Navy in Saigon near the start of the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged with the rank of lieutenant, junior grade.

When HIV/AIDS broke out in the 1980s, Mr. Clark became a devoted volunteer at Calcutta House, a facility in West Philadelphia for those living with AIDS. Mr. Clark and his companion served on the Calcutta board, prepared breakfast for the residents, and cleaned bathrooms and mopped floors on Saturday mornings for years. Mr. Clark also used his presentation skills as he visited potential donors, asking for funds for the facility.

"He often said it was the most rewarding work he had ever done," said Lyle.

Mr. Clark had a special empathy for the homeless. Before being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, he would rarely pass a homeless person without buying him or her some coffee or a sandwich. And he would stop and chat with homeless people, because he felt it reinforced their dignity. "He was not judgmental," Lyle said.

The two men enjoyed travel. Once, they rented a boat on the Shannon River in Ireland and braved locks, rough water, and weedy tributaries.

In Greece, Mr. Clark rented a motor scooter and cycled around the island of Patmos, searching for a carpenter to make crutches for Lyle, who had become disabled by gout.

In recent years, the two spent a week atop a mountain on the Greek island of Santorini that was accessible only by donkey.

Beside his companion, Mr. Clark is survived by a sister and a niece.

A Funeral Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 5, at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 242 S. 20th St. Friends may call from 9 to 10:15. Burial is private.

Donations may be made to Calcutta House, 1601 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia 19130.