Patrick J. "Pj" Cleary

Our hearts were broken when heaven received our beloved son, PJ, on October 16, 2015. He was the light of so many lives. He came into the world on Good Friday, April 9, 1971, the first-born child of Michael and Debra (Freese) Cleary.

PJ was a beautiful little boy with a wonderful energy and was already showing his drive and ambition at the age of 2, using his Big Grampa’s tools to build and paint airplanes out of scraps of wood. He went to local schools and began working for the family business at the age of 14 to save money to buy his first 4-wheeler.

His passion was snowmobiles, dirt bike racing and fishing. He received his first bike for Christmas at 5 ½ years old. He followed in his father’s footsteps and was a well-known racer on both ice and dirt tracks. PJ was also known to carry a fishing pole in his truck all through the spring and summer seasons. Any excuse to drop a line and he was there.

He enjoyed traveling and had vacationed in the Caribbean, Mexico, Cape Cod and Florida. He and his family spent a few years in Tarpon Springs where he took a break from New England weather and painting and, for a change of pace, worked doing tile installation.

PJ worked for ARC Electrostatic Painting. He was and is the best painter they will ever have. His talent and creativity in restoration work and detailing was remarkable. He will never be replaced in so many ways. He loved everyone and everyone loved him. He had a heart of gold and a beautiful soul. His smile could light up a room and his quirky sense of humor kept everyone entertained. Once he made a friend he was a friend for life.

PJ and his wife, Elisabeth, had been together since they were teens. They were married for 19 years and had one son, Kyle, who with his girlfriend, Laura, are expecting their first child, a boy. Other family members include his two brothers, Sean Cleary and his wife Victoria and their daughter Phaedra of Mechanic Falls, Maine and Michael Cleary Jr., and his wife Alicia and their sons Maxwell and Preston of Auburn, his grandmother Veneta Cleary, his grandfather Robert Freese, his mother-in-law Pauline Brisson, his brothers-in-law Dan and Rich Brisson, his sisters-in-law JoAnne Brisson-Fongemie and her husband Jeff and Diane Brisson as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.

PJ was predeceased by his great grandparents John & Alice Cleary and Miner and Edith Preston, grandfather, Gene Cleary, grandmother Marilyn Freese, a dear uncle, Ralph Mark Seavey and a best friend, Craig Boucher.

Being a casual kind of guy PJ never liked getting all dressed up so in remembrance of him we ask that you feel free to dress casually.

Visitation was held on Saturday October 24 from 1 to 4 pm at the McHugh Funeral Home 283 Hanover St. corner of Beech St. in Manchester followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 4 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations in PJ’s name be made to Serenity Place 101 Manchester St. Manchester, NH 03101.