John (Jack) Jerome Cleary

Jack was born in New York City, to Frank J. Cleary and Isabel Cook Cleary. He lived his early years in Scarsdale, NY before the family relocated to Evanston IL. After graduating from Evanston High School, Jack attended Villanova University on a Naval Reserve scholarship and graduated in 1952. While at Villanova Jack met his wife Barbara in Philadelphia. They married in 1954 and started a family.

Upon college graduation, Jack entered the Navy commissioned as an ensign, served as a gunnery officer on a destroyer, advanced to battalion commander and was honorably discharged in 1956 as a Lieutenant.

After his Navy service, Jack pursued a law degree at Villanova University Law School, where he was on the Law Review. He graduated in 1959 and served as a law clerk for a Philadelphia trial judge. In 1962, at the age of 32, Jack once again went back to Villanova as the Vice Dean of Villanova Law School. Three years later he became a Professor of Law, where he developed the school’s first clinical training program. He loved teaching and sharing the law with his students.

In 1969, Jack left Villanova to enter the corporate world, taking a position as legal counsel for GAC Corporation. The family moved to Palm Island in Miami Beach where Jack enjoyed renovating their house, traveling, teaching his kids to water ski and making lifelong memories. In 1973 the family relocated to New Canaan CT where Jack continued to work as legal counsel for several corporations until his retirement.

In retirement Jack was often found gardening, playing tennis or working on a home project. Jack always loved remodeling and renovating homes, and he was never happier than when he was tackling a home renovation project for himself or for one of his children. In 1983 Jack purchased land in New Canaan and accomplished a lifelong dream to design and build his own home. He enjoyed many celebrations as his family grew up and created families of their own. Jack and Barbara recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary.

Jack is survived by his wife Barbara, his six children, Patricia Pares, Cathy Cole (Robin), John P. Cleary (Michelle), Maureen Yeazel(Gordon), Sheila Cleary-Reuning (Scott), Brian Cleary (Stephanie), and fourteen grandchildren (Matthew Pares(Angela), Jamie Pares, Stephanie Pares, Claire Cole, Jed Cole, Tyler Cleary, Spencer Cleary, Hayden Yeazel(Kindra), Madison Yeazel, Sidney Yeazel, Jessica Cleary Reuning, Christopher Cleary-Reuning, Brittany Cleary, and Chelsea Cleary) and his two great-grandchildren (Joey Pares and Kyla Yeazel). He will forever be in our hearts!

Private family services were held.

Condolences may be shared at www.andrewsmortuary.com