CLARE STANLEY BLACKMORE

October 9, 1940 - May 22, 2023

Clare Stanley Blackmore, 82, of Schiller Park passed away peacefully on May 22, 2023.  He was born on October 9, 1940, at St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago, to Sophie and Robert Edward Blackmore in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village until he married and moved to Chicago’s Galewood west side neighborhood and later retired to Schiller Park. Clare was the beloved husband of the late Ella.  He is survived by his son, Robert and daughter-in-law, Jennifer. He was the cherished grandfather to John and Ben, and first husband of Alice Blackmore-Priebe.

Following Tuley High School, later renamed Roberto Clemente High School, Clare served in the U.S. Army stationed in Korea in 1964 for a multiple year commitment and earned the Marksman (Rifle) Medal of Good Conduct which represents efficiency, honor, and fidelity.

After serving in the U.S. Army, Clare pursued his long-time desire to start a career as police officer.  Upon commencement from the police academy in 1966, Clare was sworn into the Chicago Police Department where he dedicated 37 years of excellent service.  Clare retired in 2003 with honors of perfect attendance and service.  Throughout Clare’s career in law enforcement, he was bestowed and honored with several dozen written commendations.   One of his proudest achievements was an appointment to the Chicago Police Department Mounted Patrol Unit in 1974, the Mounted Patrol Unit was reintroduced after a 25-year absence in 1974. Clare completed his certification, qualification and successful training to pass all physical tests for this demanding, honorable and distinguished opportunity; in addition, he cared for the horses after hours.  The Mounted Patrol Units are the Ambassadors of Good Will and encourage approachability by members of the public when in police patrol.

During Clare's law enforcement career, The Chicago Police Department offered officers the opportunity to learn the Spanish language, so that officers could communicate with the public.  Clare was approved to take the language training, and decided to continue learning Spanish by enrolling at Wilbur Wright College to perfect his Spanish language skills, where he then became fluent in speaking and writing which led to a transfer to the newly formed 911 call center, where he took calls in Spanish.  He enjoyed speaking Spanish to everyone!

Clare later held various administrative positions including: Gun Registration, 911 Dispatcher and Operator, Police Warehouse Administrator, and later patrolled North Avenue by foot between Cicero to Austin, known as the 2511 beat,  serving the community and families on Chicago’s west side with his friend and fellow cop Eric Sanders, their photograph and story was featured on the front page of the local paper The Austin Voice, on October 8, 1991 titled “Sanders and Blackmore – Taming North Avenue” who were locally famous at that time as the article describes “one of the few salt and pepper cop teams in the city”.  The North Avenue business community and the local neighborhood residents, respected and trusted Clare as their protector and friend, especially Joseph Lombardi who worked at a local North Avenue hardware store along the patrol route and Joesph’s son, Joe Lombardi was also a fellow friend and retired Chicago Police Officer and bringing this relationship full circle, Joesph and Anna Lombardi were Joyce Pemberton’s Godparents.

Clare had the honor working as the Area 5 Warrant Officer of the Court at Grand and Central Avenues – a police administrative liaison between the circuit court and the police department as his last assignment before retirement – a well-deserved job for the top cop. 

Clare was a loving and dedicated father who always prioritized his son's well-being. He went above and beyond to provide the best opportunities for his son, including traveling to Europe to visit relatives and grateful for cousin Dev Leahy for mapping the genealogy of the Blackmore clan from Devon England to Lincoln, Nebraska and his loving connection to Tom and Jean Young and the Young family. Clare's commitment to his son, Robert, was evident when he made a decision to quit smoking after 34 years, in honor of his son's eighth birthday.  His selflessness and devotion to this family were unmatched. Wherever Clare was, he always would help out people and neighbors.  He would offer his time to help out in any way he could.  

In retirement, Clare enjoyed his passion for, sky-diving, parasailing and travel, particularly to Europe and the Caribbean. He had a special fondness for the Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Clare took great joy in listening to his grandson John play the trombone and trumpet, as well as watching both John and Ben play soccer and later transitioned to baseball. Family gatherings were always filled with laughter, especially when his grandson Ben playfully proclaimed, "you're going to jail" as a nod to Clare's career as a police officer.

In his final years and months Clare was grateful for Joyce Pemberton’s cooking, her pasta sauce and hospitality and Ward’s Mai-tai’s and turkey dinners, Clare would say "the Pemberton family is my family".

Clare cherished his friendship to fellow police officer Eddie Veth and wife Bonnie and Goddaughter Cathy for the good old days celebrating at their Rascher Avenue house; grateful for cousin Doug and Judy Niles and daughter Laura and family for the fun times in Kenosha; and grateful for Joann W. for a decade of travel and retirement companionship; grateful for fellow police officer friends and neighbors Boggs and Valle families and many more police officer friends and families; and grateful for the Brandt family for their generosity in sharing the Woodhaven Lakes getaway, so many years of weekend summer fun and winter pheasant hunting trips.  And, grateful for his first wife Alice and mother of his son, Robert, who was a "good mother and wife".

Clare adored his daughter-in-law Jennifer and thought she was the best for Robert and a great mom to John and Ben and furthermore thought she had the qualifications to work as the White House Press Secretary with her wit and wisdom and quick accurate answers to everything and a good debater.

Two weeks before his death, Clare was approved for Cataract surgery on Thursday August 10 and he thought that was “such a victory to look forward, to once again, watch television and read a book".

Outside of his professional life, Clare was a loyal member of the Medinah Shriners International and Northern Masonic Scottish Rite for 48 years, volunteering his time to support their charitable efforts.

Clare will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him. He was predeceased by his parents, Sophie and Robert, his second wife, Ella Blackmore, and dog Buster and various relatives and friends. His memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who loved him.

Clare's father: Robert Edward Blackmore – Born in Friend, Nebraska in 1898 and died in 1951 in Chicago was a WWI Veteran in the US Army. Clare's mother: Sophie Georgina Tyrcha Blackmore – Born in Chicago in 1908 and died in 1974.  Clare’s Paternal Grandparents were born in Devon England and migrated to the United States. Clare’s Maternal Grandparents were born in Grudna Dolna Poland and Brzesko Borzecin Poland and migrated to the United States.

A memorial service for Clare will be held at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, located at 20953 W. Hoff Road, Elwood, IL 60421, on Friday, August 11, 2023, at 10:00 AM.

Those who wish to pay their respects and share memories and condolences are also encouraged to copy and paste the following link to the web for the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery's online memorial:

https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/CLARESTANLEYBLACKMORE/a3ae23

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Medinah Shriners International; Medinah Shriners Children's Hospital in Chicago; or the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation in Clare's honor.