Obituary: Thomas Michael Clancy

He spent more than 20 years on the Americas Desk in New York and Washington before he retired on disability about 2003. During his time with Reuters he spent three years as a bureau chief in Dallas. At one point he was mentioned by name on the David Letterman TV show for tracking down a man who put on a gorilla suit and gave away $100 bills.

At the end he could not overcome his back problems enough to improve copy in a chair for a full shift.

During his youth he wrestled in high school and learned auto mechanics as he worked at a service station and garage while completing his studies at the University of Connecticut. He also earned a master’s degree from the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University.

His death was met with shock by his former colleagues. “I am devastated,” said veteran Reuters hand Lito Katigbak. “Mike Clancy will be missed by many of us. May he rest in peace.”

“I had tried to track him down even before I retired a few years ago,” wrote Mike Conlon. “We had shared more than one trench together, and I was always joyed when he showed up. Yes, life is short. It was far too short for Mike.”

Clancy’s father was Coast Guard Master Chief Tom Clancy. He brought his sons, Mike and his late brother, Patrick, up hard, according to Mike. That determined approach was part of his journalism style. However, in his most serious moments, a “twinkle” lurked underneath, indicating the light-hearted Irishman waiting for a joke, a laugh, a beer or all three.

Survivors include his widow, Donna Mae; his son, Thomas West Clancy, his daughter, Breece Mae Clancy, his mother, Charlene, his sister, Peggy Cost, nieces and nephews. Services will be at the Pumphrey Funeral Home in Rockville, Maryland, at noon on Tuesday. Friends will mingle at noon, and a memorial service will begin at 1:00 pm.

PHOTO: Mike Clancy at the Washington Nationals ballpark. ■