William A. Cleary Jr.

William was born in Lynn, son of the late William and Margaret (McAuliffe) Cleary. He was a lifelong resident of the city.

William was a graduate of Lynn Classical, then served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He went to Union College in Kentucky where he received his Bachelors Degree then received his Masters in Education at Salem State College.

William started his teaching career in Acton in 1955 teaching History and also coached soccer. William was elected to teach in the Lynn school department in November of 1958. His first assignment was at the Ingalls School teaching special Ed. In 1970 he was elected Principal of O’Keefe School. Then later in his career was assigned Principal of the Connery School where he retired in 1993. He had a special love for all of his students.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Kiwanis Club, Lynn Teachers Union and Meadow Larks. One of Williams’s biggest hobbies was woodworking, but William’s true devotion was spending time with his family.

He leaves his daughter Shirley A. Gallo and her husband Gene of Peabody; two grandchildren Jenna Blanchette and her husband David of Methuen and Gino Gallo and his wife Suzanne of Milford; 4 great-grandchildren Willliam and Victoria Blanchette and Vincent and Valerie Gallo. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was the brother of the late Geraldine Irwin and Margaret Kehoe.

Funeral from the Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home, 157 Maple St. Lynn, Friday at 9:00 AM. Funeral Mass in Sacred Heart Church, Lynn at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Thursday from 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers gifts in his memory may be made to Special Olympics, 1133 19th Street, NW, Washington DC 20036.