AUBURN - For nearly 50 years, Harold "Jack" Clark helped travelers to safety.

Now the longtime tow operator and mechanic will have his own safe passage as colleagues, family and friends escort him to his final resting place.

"It will be his last ride," said Don St. Germain, owner of Don's No Preference Towing. "He said it was one of the things he wanted done when he passed."

St. Germain and other members of the Towing and Recovery Association of Maine plan a procession Saturday starting at Clark's funeral service at the First Assembly of God Church in Lewiston, going through Jack's Garage on Chasse Street and finally proceeding to Gracelawn Cemetery. Clark, 83, died Tuesday night from complications of pancreatic cancer, said his daughter-in-law, Joyce Clark.

A string of wreckers and tow trucks from companies throughout Maine will form the processional, ending with a flatbed on which Clark's last wrecker will be carried with his casket alongside.

"We're hoping it turns out nice," said Joyce. "He certainly deserves it all."

Clark started working with his brother, Jack, at Jack's Garage and Towing in 1956, when it was located on Center Street near what is Pat's Pizza today. He answered to the name "Jack" after taking over the business, which he ran until 2003 when he passed it on to his son-in-law Ted.

A gruff manner - the result of working around the clock and raising eight kids, quipped his daughter-in-law - masked the kindness that Clark often displayed to stranded travelers, said St. Germain.

"He was old school; his word was gospel," he said.

He often wouldn't charge when he thought a family was in dire straits, or reduced his fee significantly if he thought someone could only pay a little. Sometimes he'd just tell people to send him the money when they had it.

"Only God knows, and him, if they ever did," said St. Germain, who was a co-worker and a competitor of Clark's over the years.

But many did acknowledge the assistance Clark provided. He kept a big envelope full of the letters he received over the years from grateful customers.

"Under separate cover please find a box of cigars as a small but sincere token of appreciation for the kindness and help you gave to my wife and family when their car broke down on the Maine Turnpike this past Washington's Birthday weekend ..." - Karl Gundersen, West Newton, Mass., March 3, 1970.

"It certainly is hard to find an honest and sincere man as yourself in the car service field; especially one who will give as much to those he has never seen before as he must his regular customers ..." - Jan Van Luling, Husson College, Bangor, Dec. 4, 1968

"Again many thanks for being so kind to my children and I. A day to remember that there are many wonderful people who are always willing to help people in distress." - Lorraine Denisi, Jan. 3, 1977.

Joyce Clark said one of the most poignant letters came from Ralph Adams, Auburn's former fire chief. She said her father-in-law helped pull a pumper truck back onto the road after it had overturned in a ditch while responding to a fire scene in March 1975.

Adams expressed his appreciation and added: "I also told Mr. Murphy (city manager) of your refusal to accept payment for this service. It is very uncommon today to find men with your attitude and cooperation. Usually the attitude is to 'soak the City and get some of my tax money back.'"

"He was such an outstanding person," said Joyce Clark. "A lot of people don't hear the good things tow people do for others. But they do. ... They do a lot."