At 101, he has had more time than most to think, but it has not weighed too heavily on him.
''I never think about those things. I just enjoy it.''
The Oamaru-born man's birthday was on Saturday.
He has gathered wisdom during his years, but it seems the basics are most important.
''I sometimes wonder what's going to happen when the end comes, but it's just a fleeting thought ... and the end is coming fairly soon, obviously.''
There's no great secret to a long life, he says.
''I always go to bed early and get up early. I like the pokies but that's not really a vice, just an amusement.
''It's not easy just to lay down a set of rules to live by; it's just moderation, I think.''
Mr Clare was born in 1914, at the beginning of World War 1, and spent most of his life in the Manuherikia Valley as a sheep farmer after being educated in the area.
He has one son, two daughters, six grandchildren, and ''a few'' great-grand children.
Mr Clare said he had a ''low key'' celebration with family during the weekend.
''When I was young we never celebrated birthdays at all. The first one I can remember celebrating was my 14th.''
Since then, he had not placed much importance on birthdays, he said.
He had recently moved into Castlewood Home in Alexandra, but still got out and about.
Swimming and playing cards were the pastimes he looked forward to most.
Mr Clare claimed to not have much of a sense of humour, but said - with a grin - he could still have a laugh.
And although he had earlier said the end was coming soon, he did say he would be around for the next story, when he turned 102.
