Hugh "Joe" Joseph Cleary Obituary (1928

Hugh "Joe" Joseph Cleary, 93, a resident of the Vancouver community passed away on January 23, 2022 at his home. Joe was born on September 6, 1928 in Indianapolis, IN. He was the oldest of nine children born to Hugh X and Madonna (Magers) Cleary. Joe was raised in Indianapolis and attended St Anthony Grade School and St Meinrad Seminary. He moved to California in 1946. He enlisted into the US Air Force and served his country for three years in Germany. Joe was honorably discharged in 1954 as a Weather Tech. Joe attended UCLA and completed his Bachelors of Science in Business in 1956. He met his future wife, Joan Shannahan, in 1958 at a Catholic Alumni Dance in Los Angeles CA. They married on February 7, 1959 in Lynwood and they made their home in Glendora, CA. In 1985 they moved to Santa Rosa, CA and lived there until 1991 when they moved to Dundee, OR to be closer to their children. Joe had worked as a Real Estate appraiser all of his life. He first started working for Cal Vet and then for Sterling Savings and Loans in LA. He was VP at US Life and Savings and when he was closer to retirement Joe opened Hugh J Cleary Real Estate Appraisal, a company he ran until 1991. Joe and Joan's whole life was centered around their children and their church. They both where very active members at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Portland. When they traveled they often centered their traveling to visit Marian Shrines and this goal brought them to Europe eleven times. Joe had a lifelong interest and fascination with weather, and loved following news of weather events happening around the world. He also enjoyed reading, keeping up his yard and enjoyed home improvement projects. Having met at a dance, Joe and Joan continued to dance and frequently attended dances at the Elsie Stuhr Center in Beaverton. He is preceded in death by his parents and three siblings; Rev James Cleary OFM Cap, Theresa Stegmeier, and Madonna Cleary. He is survived by his loving wife; Joan, three children and their spouses; Timothy and Barbara Cleary of Vancouver, Maureen (Sr. Julian, OSB) Cleary, of Lacey, WA, Patrick and Sylvia Cleary of Upland, CA, five siblings: John Cleary of Sacramento, CA, Mary Brown of San Diego, CA, Jerry Cleary of Olivehurst, CA, Marian Graham of Upland, CA and Regina Kobus Riverside, CA. Also surviving are six grandchildren; Kevin, Mary Ellen, Brendan, Monica, Lauren and Jeannine and five great grandchildren.