James J. “Jim” Cleary, of Homosassa, FL, passed away Nov. 20, 2018 under the loving care of his family and Vitas Hospice. Jim was born on Oct. 15, 1936 in Philadelphia, PA to John and Dorothy Cleary, one of seven children. He graduated from North Catholic High School For Boys in Philadelphia in 1955 and in 1957, married the love of his life, Patricia A. Cleary (Slowey). Jim and Pat have four children: James of Los Angeles, CA; Martin (Melissa) of Philadelphia; Trisha (Mark) of Florida and Susan (Robert) of Tennessee. Jim and Pat have two grandchildren Patrick and Kacey (Mike) and one great grandchild Logan Michael, as well as his brothers Joseph (Irene) and Dennis (Colleen) and sister Dorothy. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three siblings Frances and her husband Gerald, John and his wife Mary and Kevin, as well as a brother-in-law, Joseph Leahy. Jim followed his passion for sports by playing softball, bowling and golfing. He coached girls softball for the Holmesburg Club in Philadelphia and loved his Philadelphia sports teams, especially the Eagles and the Phillies. At the age of 18, he began his working career at Strick Trailer in Philadelphia, where he remained for 16 years. Jim then later took courses at NYU in New York and Northwestern University in Chicago to obtain a license as a certified prosthetist. Jim worked 33 years until retiring from Harry J. LaWall in Philadelphia. Jim and Pat retired in 2005 to the beautiful community of Walden Woods in Homosassa, Florida. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date in the near future. Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa, Florida. www.wilderfuneral.com
