Obituary of John A. Cleary

John Anthony Cleary, 86, formerly of Weston CT and Amelia Island FL passed away peacefully on April 16, 2018 in hospice at the Springs Watermark, Bridgeport CT after complications from COPD. John was born on September 4, 1931 in Chicago to Irish immigrants John Cleary Sr. and Julia Conway Cleary from County Mayo. John is preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years Dolores Mueller Cleary who passed at age 85 and siblings Anne Cleary Biondi and Michael Cleary. John leaves behind his 5 children Elizabeth, Aileen, John and Julia Cleary, Margaret Bernegger and grandchildren Brooke and Andrew Bernegger. An early entrepreneur, as a young boy John created jobs wherever he could, including selling newspapers, parking cars, and picking up trash in the bleachers for a free Cub's ticket at his beloved Wrigley Field. John graduated from University of Illinois School of Journalism with honors in 1956. John enjoyed a long and distinguished 40-year career at Donnelly Marketing starting from a salesman and rising to Chief Executive Officer overseeing 3000 employees across the nation. The family relocated from Wheaton, IL to Darien, CT and back for his career and finally settled in Weston, CT in 1976. Upon retirement, the Cleary's moved to Amelia Island, FL for a perfect compromise of Dolores' love of the beach and John's dream to live on a golf course. Unfortunately, his golf game did not improve! The Island gave them many happy memories with their children, grandchildren, and extended family. John and Dolores' love of travel, history, and culture took them around the world on walking tours and ocean and river cruises. From US historical sites, Europe, China, Africa and visiting friends along the way they followed their dreams. A memorial service celebrating John's life will take place on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to "Boy's Town", a Catholic organization that has been changing how the world cares for children, families and communities for 100 years. www.boystown.org. To leave an online condolence please visit www.abriola.com.