Obituaries

William P. Cleary, a resident of Putnam Valley since 1968, died at Bethel Springvale Inn on Friday, May 6, 2016. He was 87 years old.

     The son of William and Anna McCarthy Cleary, he was born in New York City on December 29, 1928. He was raised in the Bronx and graduated from Christopher Columbus High School, where he was on the football team.        He went to work for Con Edison in 1949 and retired in 1991, retiring as a Superintendent in the Westchester Division.  He also joined the New York State National Guard as a private at age 17, was chosen to attend Officer Candidate School at Ft Sill, OK in 1952 and was eventually promoted to Captain.

     He was  member of St Columbanus Parish for over 50 years, sent all of his children to parochial school and supported his church as an usher. He set up Bingo in the church hall every Friday night for many years.

     Although he was a hard worker, he always enjoyed a good party, a good glass of scotch, a good cigar and a good game of golf. He loved sports, especially the Yankees and Giants. He was proud of his Irish heritage. In retirement, Bill and Gloria spent winters in Florida. They enjoyed traveling  to Europe, Alaska and the Carribean.

     He was a loving and devoted son, brother, husband and father. His help and support could always be counted on. He is survived by his wife Gloria McDougall Cleary, his sister Faith, his children Ellen, Stephen and Kevin, his grandaughters Jacquelyn and Ashley and his cousins Catherine Smith and Rita Dietrich.