Obituary: Paul J. Cleary - Class of 1947

MADISON/ GREEN VALLEY, ARIZ. - Paul J. Cleary, age 76, of Madison and Green Valley, Ariz., passed away on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2004, at Tucson Medical Center. He was born on July 16, 1928, in Dodgeville, Wis., the son of James and Bertha (Schiesser) Cleary. Paul graduated from Central High School in 1947, and was the vice-president of his class. He was the first male to enroll in the home economics department at UW-Madison, earning a B.S. in food administration and experimental foods in 1955. Starting at age 16 in the dish room, Paul spent the next 25 years in food service management at the Memorial Union, Madison campus, ending his service there as food director. In 1970, he became the food director for the entire University of Wisconsin system. He was a guest lecturer and an instructor for the food administration for the University of Wisconsin. He had his own food service contract company. After retirement in 1990, he consulted at American Family Insurance in food service. Serving in the United States Marine Corps from 1952-1954, Paul was stationed in San Diego, Calif. Paul married Rachel M. Heine on May 29, 1969, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, Madison, and was married for 35 years. He was a member of the National and International Association of Auxiliary Directors of College University Food Service, Knights of Columbus, Chapter 4527, and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. He is survived by his wife, Rachel of Madison and Green Valley, Ariz.; two daughters, Brenda (Mark) Taipale of Harleysville, Pa., and Kelly (Chase) Conaway of Fort Myers, Fla.; grandchildren, Dean and Kathryn; stepson, Thomas (Diane) Roth of Sauk City; step-grandchildren Rachel and Brandon; four sisters-in-law; four brothers-in-law; two cousins; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and step-father, Harry Newberry. A memorial service will be held at ST. THOMAS ACQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison, on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2004, at 11 a.m. Monsignor Terry Connors will officiate. Inurnment will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Madison. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of the services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Paul Cleary Memorial Fund, care of the UW Foundation, PO Box 8860, Madison WI, 53708; HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711; or the Dane County Humane Society, 5132 Voges Road, Madison, WI 53718. Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services 5701 Odana Road (608) 274-1000

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on December 26, 2004