Dr. Francis A. Cleary, 93, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 16, 2017.

He was born in Elizabeth, N.J.   He moved to Wadsworth, Ohio at the age of eight.   Francis graduated from Wadsworth High School in 1941.   He attended St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Ind. before World War II where he served as a Medic in the Army in the European Theatre.   He returned from the war and graduated from Ohio State University with a BA degree in chemistry and was elected to Phi Lambda Upsilon, a chemical honorary society.   He graduated from Ohio State College of Medicine in 1953 and received his clinical training at Akron City Hospital. 

Dr. Cleary practiced family medicine in Barberton, Ohio, from 1954 to 1990, serving as Chief of Staff at Barberton Citizens Hospital in 1963.   He was a member of AMA, The Ohio State Medical Society, and was a life member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.   He was an assistant professor of family practice at NEOCOM.   He is a member of St. Sebastian Parish.

Francis was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and family physician.

Francis was preceded in death by parents, Francis and Hazel;  sisters, Gertrude Cleary Hartnett and Pearl Cleary Bolger.   He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Anna Lee;  children, Francis (Tracy), Michael (Robin), Thomas (Patricia), Cathleen (Chris) Hawes, Ann (Angie Speidel - deceased), Donald (Margaret), Joan (Ken Sargent), James (Eileen);  fourteen grandchildren;  and six great grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Concordia Health Center and Great Lakes Caring Hospice for their kindness, dedication and wonderful care of Dad.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, August 23, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. followed by a Rosary at Hummel Funeral Home, 3475 Copley Rd., Copley. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, August 24, 11 a.m. at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 476 Mull Ave., Akron.   Interment Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cleary Family Scholarship Endowment or to The Cornerstone of Our Faith Campaign c/o St. Sebastian Parish Foundation.

Published in Akron Beacon Journal from Aug. 20 to Aug. 22, 2017.

 



Francis Cleary
Wadsworth High School
Graduating Class of 1941       

 

WHS Orchestra, 1940-41.   Flutes: Esther Melvin, Mary Lois Pease.  Violins: Bob McDaniels, Ruth Schmit, Howard Fraley, Eleanor Sulzbach, Ann Kinda (viola), Beatrice Foley, Agnes Seifert, Fern Jessel, Barbara Chamberlin.  Drummers: Don Sterling, Ray Rohrer.  Pianist: Jean Redinger.  Cornet & Trumpet: Bob Miley, Edwin Mason.  Horns: Edith Golz, Mabel Boggs.  Bass Viol: Jack Redinger.  Clarinets: Frank Cleary, Albert White, Jeremy Brintlinger.  Saxophones: Dorothy McCullen, Rita Gairing.  Trombones: Frank Metting, Bob Crumley.  Director: Mr. Ernest McClain.  

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