Edward Cleary
Edward Cleary

Obituary of Edward William Cleary

Edward William Cleary, a longtime Boise resident and community leader, passed away on January 3, 2018, surrounded by his family. He was 98. Born May 21, 1919 in Sargent Bluff, Iowa, Ed and his family later moved to Zanesville, Ohio. His father, Edward Dempsey Cleary, was the principal at the local high school and his mother, Laura Rich Cleary, taught piano lessons. Ed attended DePauw University, graduating Phi Beta Kappa and served in the Navy during WWII where he was part of Operation Torch in North Africa. He married his wife (and best friend) of 71 years, Arita Hefferan Cleary in 1946. After completing a second bachelor's degree at Ohio State University, he accepted a position as a senior accountant at Price Water House in Portland, Oregon. In 1955 he went to work for Valsetz Lumber Company and moved to Boise in 1960 when Valsetz merged with Boise Cascade. He worked for Boise Cascade Corporation for 22 years, starting as its comptroller, then advancing to treasurer and senior vice president. He retired in 1982. Before he retired, he directed an oral history project for the company, conducting interviews with those who had played an important role in the early growth and success of the company. In addition to his career, Ed was passionate about community service and devoted considerable time and brainpower through his involvement on the boards at the YMCA and Bogus Basin Recreation Association. He was the brainchild of Fundsy, an annual auction event that raises money for local non-profits and was instrumental in raising monies to build the downtown YMCA in 1970. He loved to retell the story of what the YMCA had provided him as a child. Terrified of water, Ed had finally learned to swim at the age of 11 thanks to the patience and guidance of a Y swim instructor. Because of those lessons and the mentoring he received, Ed began a special relationship with the Y that would continue for the rest of his life. Ed skied until he was in his 70's, when a hip transplant made him think twice about continuing the sport he loved most of his life. Ed served as president of the Bogus Basin Recreation Association and on its board of directors from 1973-1991, helping transform Bogus into a major ski resort. In his retirement, he served on the board of directors of Farmers & Merchants State Bank, perfected his gourmet cooking and golfing skills, and enjoyed family gatherings, graduations, and holidays with his family. Ed was our hero. He loved his family, served his country, and gave back generously to his community. He relished his Irish heritage, loved playing the ukulele, and was an avid reader and lifelong learner. He loved to drive the boat around Payette Lake and teach his family and friends how to waterski. Ed enjoyed his long and wonderful life immensely and lived it with compassion, generosity, and dignity. He was a sweet and caring man who we all loved very much. He never told us how to live our lives, he just showed us how. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Arita Hefferan Cleary; his sister, Mary Helen Cleary Straker; son John Cleary; daughters Kathryn Cleary (Steve Frank) and Patty Skinner (David); grandchildren Veronica Cleary, Sam and Dan Frank (Vyjoo), Laura Skinner Buursma (Jason), Jake Skinner (Amanda Siebert), Katie and Benito Skinner; and great grandson Brooks Rupert Buursma. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the YMCA of Boise Idaho in memory of Ed Cleary. Services will be held on Monday, January 8, 2018 at 10:30 am at Boise State University's Stueckle Sky Center, 1910 W. University Drive, Boise, ID 83725. Reception to follow.
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Memorial Service

JAN 8. 10:30 AM Boise State University's Stueckle Sky Center 1910 W. University Drive Boise, ID, US, 83725

Interment

Idaho State Veterans Cemetery ID,
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