If the definition of a gentleman is one who makes life easier for others and inflicts as little pain as possible, then Peter Clarke was of that exceptional calibre, for he was a gentleman and a gentle man.
But he was also a very astute businessman with supreme emotional intelligence and the social skills of a born leader.
Along with his brother-in-law Michael McGrath he bought the Carlton Hotel in the village of Belleek, on the Fermanagh/Donegal border, in 1975 and helped make it into one of the top wedding and dinner dance venues in the north west.
They also ran the popular Tavern pub and opened the Thatch Coffee Shop in 1994, which would become one of the most famous premises in the country.
A man of vision, drive and acumen, nobody did more to put Belleek on the tourist map for almost 50 years and he was a wonderful ambassador for the village.
Peter Clarke was born on the Isle of Man in 1948 and came to Belleek in the 1950s, where his father was a popular GP. He went to Rockfield National School in Ballyshannon and Derryhallow Primary School before attending the prestigious Clongowes Wood College in Co Kildare, where one of his schoolmates was future taoiseach John Bruton.
He trained as a teacher at St Joseph’s college in Belfast and married Belleek neighbour Maureen Chivers while still a student.
As a young man Peter was a talented sportsman and keen rally driver, taking part in competitions including the 1970 Circuit of Ireland with Michael McGrath, a fellow teacher, as his navigator.
They ran the Carlton hotel from 1975 to 1986, at a time when Northern Ireland was in the grip of the Troubles and running a business required guts and determination. The hotel was itself firebombed in 1980, but they were undaunted and bought the Tavern public house in Belleek.
That same year, Belleek Chamber of Commerce was founded and Mr Clarke was its first president.
From 1982 the partners built the Carlton Cottages and had a business behind the hotel looking after fishermen, building relationships with anglers from Germany, Holland and Switzerland.
They also built 22 cottages in Rathmore and went to trade shows all over Europe promoting Belleek.
In 1994 they opened the Thatch Coffee Shop with its trademark thatch roof and half door, which remains a popular attraction in the border village.
Away from business, Mr Clarke was a former captain and president of Bundoran Golf Club. He was also a keen rugby player, following the Irish team at every opportunity.
But, above all else, he was a proud Belleek man.
He will be remembered as an elegant, eloquent, quiet but extremely gifted man with a clear vision for the verdant village on the banks of the Erne. We will not see his likes again.
Peter Clarke died on June 28 and his funeral took place at St Patrick’s Church, Belleek.
He was the beloved husband of Maureen; much loved father of Roger, Jeanne and Rachel, and grandfather of Charlie, Emily, Evie, Dara, Owen and Peter.