John E. ‘Jack’ Cleary Jr., 80, of the Town of Clinton, NY, died on Monday, July 28, 2014, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie. Born September 8, 1933 in Poughkeepsie, he was the son of the late John E. Cleary Sr. and Augustus Zwecker Cleary. Jack was a 1957 graduate of The Citadel, Charleston, SC, and received post graduate education through IBM. Mr. Cleary was an engineer for IBM in Poughkeepsie and East Fishkill, retiring from East Fishkill in 1993 after 36 years of service. Active in his community, Jack was a member of the Town of Clinton Planning Board for over 20 years and helped with revision of the Town of Clinton Master Plan. He was a Past Commissioner of the West Clinton Fire Dept., and was an active member of the Clinton Historical Society. He volunteered his time with the Cornell University Cooperative Extension’s Global Information Systems Project and spent many hours mowing and trimming the Providence Cemetery in the Town of Clinton. Many years ago, he was a scuba diver for the NY State Police. One of Jack’s greatest pleasures was helping his best friend, Tim Conway, doing projects. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife, Josephine Sutka Cleary, on January 1, 1991; son, Edward Flanagan in 2006; sister-in-law, Carol Cleary; and nephew, John Cleary. On February 14, 1993 in the Town of Clinton, he married the former Barbara A. Brilliant. Mrs. Cleary survives at home. In addition to his wife, Barbara, Jack is survived by his brother, Richard J. Cleary of Dover, DE; children, Sally Breiner and husband, Gary, of Staatsburg, Scott White and wife, Merri, of Kerhonkson, Rhonda Schiller of Beacon, and Paul White and wife, Linda, of Honesdale, PA; four grandchildren, John, Justin, Courtney, and Anna; and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 pm on Wednesday, July 30th at Sweet’s Funeral Home, Rte. 9, Hyde Park. Funeral services will be at 10 AM, Thursday, July 31st at the Funeral Home. Entombment will follow in the Community Mausoleum at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. Jack’s family respectfully requests memorial donations to The Citadel Foundation, 171 Moultrie St. Charleston, SC, 29409 , or West Clinton Fire Dept., Company #2, 6 Long Pond Rd., Rhinebeck, NY 12572. To send an online condolence, or for directions, please visit www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.
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