Shaun Cleary

Longtime Palm Beach County, FL resident, Mr. Shaun Cleary, passed away on Thursday, March 16th following a very brief illness.  Shaun was born to LTCOL Timothy (USA) and Victoria Mulliken Cleary and spent most of his childhood in Moore County, NC.  He graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY in 1957. Upon commissioning, he served two years in the United States Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) aboard the USS Wasp.  While a midshipman in the fall of 1955, he met Ruth Irene Hillmann of Flushing, NY at a Queens College dance. They fell in love, married in 1957, and raised four children on Long Island, NY where they all enjoyed the beaches and waters of the south shore.  An avid traveler, he also took his family on numerous road trips all across the US.

The family moved to Florida in 1977 where Shaun worked as an engineer at Pratt & Whitney until retiring in 1993. Known for his sharp wit, quick mind and a good dose of Irish humor, Shaun loved competitive bridge, riding his bike, and swimming in the pool. He also always enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. He is survived by his daughters, Cheryl (James) Patterson of Euless, TX and Patricia Cleary (Mark Drummond) of Parker, CO; his sons, Stephen Cleary (Donna) of McDonough, GA and John Cleary (Jacquelyn) of Orange Beach, AL; his sister, Judith McGroarty, of Annapolis, MD and brother, T. Michael Cleary (Janet) of Tumbling Shoals, AR; four grandchildren, Meaghan & Stephen, Jr. Cleary; Emma & John, Jr. Cleary; four nieces and two nephews.  His wife, Ruth, preceded him in death.  His family will host a “Celebration of Life” for family & close friends at a later date.