Charles B. Clark, World War II veteran and Santa Clarita resident, died in Valencia on Sunday at the age of 78, after suffering a heart attack.

An active member of the community, Clark served on the Memorial Day Service Committee and the board of the Santa Clarita Valley Veterans Memorial, and shared his wartime experiences with veterans' groups and rotary clubs.

"He was a very loving and caring man and he worked hard for everyone," said Ruth, his wife of 59 years. "He always had a quick witty remark to say and he was very soft-spoken. He liked the outdoors but he loved the indoors as well. He liked to do crossword puzzles. We both grew up in this community and I will always treasure the friends we made."

Clark was born March 24, 1923, in Elmira, New York, where he graduated from the University of the State of New York, Elmira Free Academy. During World War II, he served two years as a member of the 20th Armored Corps of Patton's Third Army, and journeyed across Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, France, Belgium and England and received several ribbons patches and awards, including a Purple Heart, a Distinguished Unit Citation and a Good Conduct Ribbon.

After the war he went to work for the Thatcher Glass manufacturing plant in Elmira. In 1955 he moved to Saugus with wife Ruth to open the local Thatcher Glass plant, where he worked for the next 40 years.

In retirement he continued to volunteer at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station and dedicated his time and efforts to many charitable activities including the Boys and Girls Club Auction, Sheriff's Booster Club, Frontiers Day, Hart Boys Baseball, Western Walk of Fame, Wine Auction, Red Cross Disaster Team and the Fourth of July Parade Committee.

Clark was the president of the SCV Veterans' Memorial Committee and attended the Santa Clarita Methodist Church.

In 1995, Clark was the honorary mayor of Newhall, Valencia and Saugus, and honored Elk Citizen of the year in 1989 and 1998.

Clark was also a member of the Al Malaika Shrine Temple of Los Angeles, The Old West Shrine and The Historical Society.

"I have known Chuck and his wife Ruth for 32 years and they are wonderful friends. Chuck was the sweetest man he always had kind words for everyone and always wanted his kiss on the cheek," Councilwoman Jo Anne Darcy said.

"He was good in many ways I couldn't say enough good things about him. He was truly a good man and a true asset to the community. I guess he is one of those people you thought would live forever. Unfortunately, God wanted him. He truly was a loved individual," Darcy said.

A viewing will be held 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Santa Clarita Valley Methodist Church in Saugus and funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Santa Clarita Valley Methodist Church in Saugus. Graveside services will follow at Eternal Valley Cemetery. Viewing is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Eternal Valley Mortuary.