Bernard E. Cleary, 86, of Leicester, passed away Saturday, September 19th in Sterling Village. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Maureen A. (Murphy) Cleary; a son, John B. Cleary of Leicester; two daughters, Elizabeth A. Spagna and her husband Rocco of Libertyville, IL and Kathleen M. Cote and her husband Mark of Boylston; a brother, Robert Cleary of Florida; six grandchildren, James, Grace, and Teresa Spagna, and Samantha, Jason, and Dylan Cote; and nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his brother and two sisters, Harold Cleary, Irene Vancelette, and Joann Pratt.
He was born in Holden, the son of John and Anna (Tobin) Cleary and lived in Leicester all his life. He graduated from Leicester High School and the College of the Holy Cross. Mr. Cleary was a Contract Engineer and Prequalification Administrator for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, retiring in 1991. Previously, he was the manager of Ground Transportation at Logan Airport. He was a United States Army veteran during the Korean War.
Mr. Cleary was a longtime member of St. Aloysius- St. Jude Parish and the American Legion Cherry Valley Post. He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus and enjoyed following politics and served as a selectman in Leicester. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and the beach, but his greatest love was his family.
The funeral is Friday, September 25th from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue, Worcester, with a Mass at 10:00 A.M. in St. Aloysius – St. Jude Church, 489 Pleasant Street. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Calling hours are Thursday, September 24th from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Aloysius – St. Jude Church, 491 Pleasant Street, Leicester, MA 01524.