Henry A. McCleary

PORTSMOUTH, NH -- Henry A. McCleary, 80, died peacefully on March 12, 2011 at his home surrounded by his family.

Born in Rumford on January 17, 1931 he was the son of Leah (Cormier) McCleary and the late Henry A. McCleary.

Henry retired from the United States Air Force after 20 years of faithful and honorable service. He later attended Nathaniel Hawthorne College where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and in 1988 retired from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

He was a member of Corpus Christi Parish and a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. In his retirement years, Henry loved to spend his mornings playing Pinochle with fellow American Legion Veterans. He enjoyed a good conversation and could talk to anyone. He maintained his trademark sense of humor throughout his five-year battle with cancer and will be greatly missed by his family.

In addition to his wife of 56 years, Cecile (Blanchard) McCleary, survivors include his, mother Leah (Cormier) McCleary of Portsmouth; children, James McCleary and wife, Sandra of Rollinsford, Robert McCleary and wife, Susan, Cheryl Hogan, Brian McCleary, all of Portsmouth, Elena Pomroy and husband, Jeffrey of Stratham; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and brother, Richard McCleary and wife, Vera of Portsmouth.

He was predeceased by a grandson, Benjamin Hogan.

The family wishes to send their heartfelt thanks to the caring, compassionate staff at Wentworth Hospice and the Oncology Center at 155 Borthwick Ave.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Farrell Funeral Home, 684 State St., Portsmouth. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at Saint James Church, 2075 Lafayette Rd., Portsmouth. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Cancer Society of New Hampshire, 2 Commerce Dr., Suite 110, Bedford, NH 03110.

Henry A. McCleary Photo:

Henry A. McCleary